Rwanda’s agricultural sector continues to maintain an impressive growth trend in the first half of 2009 in spite of taking a hard hit from the current global economic downturn. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) Ernest Ruzindana said that despite an 8.12% reduction in export volume the sector registered growth in 2009. In a presentation, Overview of Achievements and Challenges in the Agricultural sector, January - June 2009, during the Joint Agriculture Sector Review at Laico Umubano Hotel in Kigali, Ruzindana said agriculture registered a 6.6% increase in food production in Season B of 2009.
Rwanda experiences a short rainy season from September to November (Season A) and a long rainy season from February to May (season B). The short dry season runs from December to January and the long dry season from June to mid-September.
However at 2.9%, the reduction in export earnings was much smaller than the reduction in total volume of exports. Increases in yields stood at 99% for maize, 43% for wheat, 28% for rice and sweet potatoes. More importantly was an 11% increase in bean production which marks a significant increase in protein supply to the population.
There was a also a significant growth in milk production and consumption during the first half of the year during which 143.15 million litres, 11.2% increase, contributed to the increase from about 25 litres per person per year consumption in 2008 to 29 litres/per person /year in 2009. This is closer to the FAO recommendation of 54 litres/person/year. However the dairy sub-sector still faces crucial challenges in increasing milk production in few collecting centres, low capacity of milk processing plants, lack of animal feeds, artificial insemination services and weak veterinary services.
The volume of coffee exported from January to June fell from 4.92 million kilograms in 2008 to 4.27 million kilograms in 2009 while the value of coffee exports fell further from US$12.05 to US$9.5 million due to the fall in coffee prices.
However, despite a fall in volume of tea expected by 2.5%, earnings from tea exports increased by 10.6% from US$2.06 million to US$2.34 million during the same period mainly due to the increase of tea prices by 13.6%.
Ruzindana also said that investments in higher-value products are paying off. The Rwanda government through its policy of adding value to agricultural products locally to boost farmers’ earnings has seen the development of special Rwanda coffee and tea brands.
The Minster of Agriculture Agnes Kalibata said the proposed Rwanda Agricultural Board which will streamline the sector initiatives and harmonise them with various government institutions was pending cabinet approval. The new Rwanda Agricultural Board will combine the Rwanda Agricultural Research Institute, Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority and Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority.
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