Gérardine Mukeshimana

"Rwanda’s agriculture sector has shown resilience in the face of the pandemic. However, the sector will need the right push to realise its full potential."

"I am thrilled to join IFAD and amplify the global call to invest in small-scale farmers and to keep focus on making global and local food systems more sustainable, resilient and equitable for the people who work in them and feed the world."

"As per my experience, I strongly believe that agriculture can be a thriving sector and play a key role in lifting rural populations out of hunger and poverty."

"The business of the farmer who grew and supplied chia seeds to the company’s warehouse is understandable, and we accept it,"

"The Agriculture and Livestock sector is one of the most representatives in the country and has a strong weight on its economy; however, to really exploit its potential it is essential to invest."

"Rwanda has a huge economic potential, great opportunities, and a good business environment, and so is the Agriculture Sector."

"“I urge Rwanda poultry business owners to take advantage of the presence of the captains of this industry, to establish lasting business partnerships to improve your respective poultry operations … To those that wish to start engaging in various poultry value chain business, this is your time.”"

"“Our country has made commendable progress in food security as it improved from 48 per cent in 2006 and reached to 81.3 per cent in 2018."

"“It is not yet clear whether the money that investors gave to Akenes and Kernels Ltd to invest in chia seeds farming was used for that purpose.”"

"“Horticulture is central in our current Government Program to fight against malnutrition and hidden hunger as it’s an important source for vitamins and micro-nutrients. Furthermore, the horticulture sub sector is one of the fastest growing among the contributors to Agriculture GDP.”"

"“We have ambitious plans to keep growing the productivity of our lands to make sure that we can feed ourselves but also working hard so that whatever we’ve harvested doesn’t get lost.”"

"“The agriculture sector in our country has huge opportunities for wealth creation; that’s why I call on you to take advantages of these opportunities and make fortunes from farming activities.”"

"“Every farmer should embrace irrigation; and I pledge that the government will keep doing everything possible to support all farmers in irrigation wherever feasible.”"

"“Embrace agriculture sector not because it is the backbone of our economies but, because it is its oxygen.”"

"“This programme … is meant to help farmers and livestock rearers cope with climate change … to ensure that even when adverse conditions strike, they are not completely ruined.” (In context of introducing agricultural & livestock insurance schemes)"

"“The agriculture sector is set to create employment, satisfy our food and nutrition needs by 2022, and reduce the poverty rates from 39.1% to 15% by 2024.”"

"“The current 4th phase of the Strategic Plan for the Agriculture Transformation (PSTA4) … puts gender mainstreaming and women empowerment on the front of what’s being done along the whole agriculture value chain in Rwanda.”"

"“Investing in resilience is as urgent as addressing humanitarian needs. In the long run building resilience will save more lives and improve more livelihoods, and it is a sustainable solution.”"

"“To seize the huge opportunity that food systems transformation presents, we need to invest in the hundreds of millions of small-scale farmers, who produce one third of the world’s food and up to 70% of the food in low and middle-income countries. This is the only path to a food-secure and stable future, as well as the most cost-effective by far.”"

"“In a year where close to half of the world’s population will go to polls, it is essential not to lose focus on medium-term investment.”"