4 min
My recent visit to the beautiful East African city of Kigali in Rwanda was remarkable and a moment of congregating together of the academia, researchers, entrepreneurs, farmers, businessmen, youths, leaders and other persons for the International Conference on Business Models in Agriculture 2023.
As one of the co-founders, senior advisor, and chair scientific committee of the International Conference on Business Models in Agriculture (IBMA), I was up and about with Africa Organisation of Technology in Agriculture (AOTA) and IBMA team, colleagues from Uni of Rwanda, as well as delegates from all over the world who were present to volunteer their knowledge, skills & business strategies for practitioners of agriculture. Permit me to delve into some fascinating facts about Rwanda which borders on it being one of the cleanest nations on the earth realm. Also, they produce the best coffee drinks in the world.
Fascinating Facts about Rwanda
According to Children’s Hunger Fund (CHF) (2023), when most people think about Rwanda, the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is often the foremost thought that comes to mind. Since then, Rwandans have come a long way in fostering unity to their country. The ten fascinating facts about the small yet mighty country as highlighted by the CHF are as follows:
Rwanda: The German Colony, the Belgian Mandate
More so, Rwanda is known for its inclusivity in pioneering equal gender representation in politics. Going down historical lanes, Rwanda became a part of German East Africa in 1890, after the first visit by European explorers in 1854. During World War I, it was occupied in 1916 by Belgian troops. After the war, it became a Belgian League of Nations mandate, along with Burundi, under the name of Ruanda-Urundi.
Truly, Rwanda was never a British colony, but a German colony, and then a Belgian mandate. But the central Africa nation has been viewed as a French enclave in Africa. Rwanda has been bickering with France for nearly 30 years, over involvement in the genocide.
A stop over at the Kigali Genocide Memorial left me in fragments & reminded me how Africa has suffered many troubles such as killings, wars, poverty, hunger and malnutrition. Now, I can underscore that about 75% of Rwanda's agriculture sector production comes from smallholder farmers with its principal crops ranging from coffee, pyrethrum, tea, flowers, beans, cassava banana, Irish potatoes, rice, wheat, sugarcane, among others. About 61% of Rwandan soil is suitable for agriculture as the soils are fertile.
Brain Re-Engineering (BRECR): My Proposal for revamping East Africa through Youth Engagement
As the advocator of the brain re-engineering concept and reimagination (BRECR) which forbears on changing the wrong perception problem youngsters and youths have about agriculture underpins it as a prospective strategy for enhancing youth engagement in agriculture to build their innovativeness and entrepreneurship capacity. This accentuates why youths are on the front lines to building the agriculture sector and food systems of the future, while also bearing significant risks from climate change issues & political marginalisation in the face of social and economic inequities.
Extraordinary Potential and Prospects in Rwanda Agriculture Sector
Agriculture is a major economic sector for the people of Rwanda, employing about 70% of the total population. The sector contributes about 31% to GDP and stands out as one of the most strategic sectors in Rwanda’s development. It accounts for a more significant part of the foreign exchange earnings from the exports of products, including coffee, tea, hides and skins, pyrethrum, and horticulture. Majority (75%) of Rwanda’s agricultural proceeds comes from smallholder farmers.
Rwanda’s principal crops include coffee, pyrethrum, tea, flowers, beans, cassava banana, Irish potatoes, rice, wheat, sugarcane, among others. About 61% of Rwandan soil is suitable for agriculture as the soils are fertile.
Government’s Support in transforming Food and Agricultural Systems in Rwanda
The Government of Rwanda is tangibly committed to boosting the development of the country’s agri-sector. It has invested considerably in infrastructure, responsive institutions, inclusive markets, and innovation & extension while creating an enabling environment for private sector investment. Meanwhile, investment opportunities exist in the following areas: Dairy, Poultry, Meat processing, Horticulture, Aquaculture, Mechanization, Crop sourcing, Technology in Agriculture (Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Blockchain, etc.), Agro-tourism, manufacturing of irrigation equipment, and cold chain logistics.
Rwanda – Blazing the Trail for other African Nations
Truly Rwanda is facing the population pressure thereby resulting in land degradation (the gradual deterioration of agricultural lands and forest reserves, because of increasing human activities), which is not only affecting food production but also severely affecting wildlife or flora and fauna population.
However, Rwanda is experiencing innovation and blazing the trail for other African nations.
With respect to safety and security, Rwanda is one of the safest and secure nations of Africa. Its past troubles have led its people to restructure, re-make and reconstruct their society into a more unified and peaceful community.
As a matter of fact, Rwanda's safe environment, diverse landscape, and vibrant culture make it an ideal destination for women traveling alone.
Interestingly, importation and manufacture of narcotic drugs, incendiary and its devices, pornographic films and items, weapons, and ammunition, as well as items violating copyright policies are forbidden.
References
Agbugba, I.K. (2023). Brain Re-engineering Concept and Reimagination: Strategy form Rebranding Agriculture and Youth Engagement in Promoting Food Production. European Modern Studies Journal, 7(5), 213 – 223. Available at: https://journal-ems.com/index.php/emsj/article/view/932/821
Agbugba, I.K. 2023. Youth Brain Re-engineering: Developing Agricultural Entrepreneurship in Africa, AgroFoodNetworks, 28-02-2023. Available at: https://agrifoodnetworks.org/article/youth-brain-re-engineering-developing-agricultural-entrepreneurship-in-afri
Agbugba, I.K. 2020. Africa needs to develop both its agriculture and food processing industry. Dr Ikechi Agbugba being interviewed by Dick Veerman. AgriFoodNetworks,
Africa’ 15-08-2020. Available at: https://agrifoodnetworks.org/article/africa-needs-to-develop-both-its-agriculture-and-food-processing-industry
Agbugba, I.K. & Isukul A. C. 2020. Growing the Nigerian Economy: Embracing a Youth Developmental Approach, Development Bank of Nigeria Journal of Economics and Sustainable Growth, 3(2), 1-19.
Children’s Hunger Fund, 2023. Available at: https://childrenshungerfund.org/blog /10-interesting-facts-about-rwanda/
Ikechi Agbugba, PhD, April 2023. My Recent Trip To the Beautiful Eastern African City – Kigali; Rwanda Development Board, RDB, 2023. Available online: https://rdb.rw/investment-opportunities/agriculture/
Fascinating Facts about Rwanda
According to Children’s Hunger Fund (CHF) (2023), when most people think about Rwanda, the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is often the foremost thought that comes to mind. Since then, Rwandans have come a long way in fostering unity to their country. The ten fascinating facts about the small yet mighty country as highlighted by the CHF are as follows:
- The Land of a Thousand Hills
- Home to the endangered mountain gorillas
- Rwanda is the most densely populated country on the continent of Africa
- No plastic bags here! Despite its dense population, Rwanda is the cleanest country in Africa
- Community work-day
- Kigali car-free days
- Rwanda has four official languages
- Rwanda has Central Africa’s largest protected wetland
- Women make up more than half of Parliament
- Children’s Hunger Fund partners with seven churches in Rwanda to serve families in need.
Rwanda: The German Colony, the Belgian Mandate
More so, Rwanda is known for its inclusivity in pioneering equal gender representation in politics. Going down historical lanes, Rwanda became a part of German East Africa in 1890, after the first visit by European explorers in 1854. During World War I, it was occupied in 1916 by Belgian troops. After the war, it became a Belgian League of Nations mandate, along with Burundi, under the name of Ruanda-Urundi.
Truly, Rwanda was never a British colony, but a German colony, and then a Belgian mandate. But the central Africa nation has been viewed as a French enclave in Africa. Rwanda has been bickering with France for nearly 30 years, over involvement in the genocide.
Truly, Rwanda was never a British colony, but a German colony, and then a Belgian mandate. But the central Africa nation has been viewed as a French enclave in AfricaAt Kigali Genocide Memorial
A stop over at the Kigali Genocide Memorial left me in fragments & reminded me how Africa has suffered many troubles such as killings, wars, poverty, hunger and malnutrition. Now, I can underscore that about 75% of Rwanda's agriculture sector production comes from smallholder farmers with its principal crops ranging from coffee, pyrethrum, tea, flowers, beans, cassava banana, Irish potatoes, rice, wheat, sugarcane, among others. About 61% of Rwandan soil is suitable for agriculture as the soils are fertile.
Brain Re-Engineering (BRECR): My Proposal for revamping East Africa through Youth Engagement
As the advocator of the brain re-engineering concept and reimagination (BRECR) which forbears on changing the wrong perception problem youngsters and youths have about agriculture underpins it as a prospective strategy for enhancing youth engagement in agriculture to build their innovativeness and entrepreneurship capacity. This accentuates why youths are on the front lines to building the agriculture sector and food systems of the future, while also bearing significant risks from climate change issues & political marginalisation in the face of social and economic inequities.
Extraordinary Potential and Prospects in Rwanda Agriculture Sector
Agriculture is a major economic sector for the people of Rwanda, employing about 70% of the total population. The sector contributes about 31% to GDP and stands out as one of the most strategic sectors in Rwanda’s development. It accounts for a more significant part of the foreign exchange earnings from the exports of products, including coffee, tea, hides and skins, pyrethrum, and horticulture. Majority (75%) of Rwanda’s agricultural proceeds comes from smallholder farmers.
Rwanda’s principal crops include coffee, pyrethrum, tea, flowers, beans, cassava banana, Irish potatoes, rice, wheat, sugarcane, among others. About 61% of Rwandan soil is suitable for agriculture as the soils are fertile.
Government’s Support in transforming Food and Agricultural Systems in Rwanda
The Government of Rwanda is tangibly committed to boosting the development of the country’s agri-sector. It has invested considerably in infrastructure, responsive institutions, inclusive markets, and innovation & extension while creating an enabling environment for private sector investment. Meanwhile, investment opportunities exist in the following areas: Dairy, Poultry, Meat processing, Horticulture, Aquaculture, Mechanization, Crop sourcing, Technology in Agriculture (Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Blockchain, etc.), Agro-tourism, manufacturing of irrigation equipment, and cold chain logistics.
Rwanda – Blazing the Trail for other African Nations
Truly Rwanda is facing the population pressure thereby resulting in land degradation (the gradual deterioration of agricultural lands and forest reserves, because of increasing human activities), which is not only affecting food production but also severely affecting wildlife or flora and fauna population.
However, Rwanda is experiencing innovation and blazing the trail for other African nations.
With respect to safety and security, Rwanda is one of the safest and secure nations of Africa. Its past troubles have led its people to restructure, re-make and reconstruct their society into a more unified and peaceful community.
As a matter of fact, Rwanda's safe environment, diverse landscape, and vibrant culture make it an ideal destination for women traveling alone.
Interestingly, importation and manufacture of narcotic drugs, incendiary and its devices, pornographic films and items, weapons, and ammunition, as well as items violating copyright policies are forbidden.
References
Agbugba, I.K. (2023). Brain Re-engineering Concept and Reimagination: Strategy form Rebranding Agriculture and Youth Engagement in Promoting Food Production. European Modern Studies Journal, 7(5), 213 – 223. Available at: https://journal-ems.com/index.php/emsj/article/view/932/821
Agbugba, I.K. 2023. Youth Brain Re-engineering: Developing Agricultural Entrepreneurship in Africa, AgroFoodNetworks, 28-02-2023. Available at: https://agrifoodnetworks.org/article/youth-brain-re-engineering-developing-agricultural-entrepreneurship-in-afri
Agbugba, I.K. 2020. Africa needs to develop both its agriculture and food processing industry. Dr Ikechi Agbugba being interviewed by Dick Veerman. AgriFoodNetworks,
Africa’ 15-08-2020. Available at: https://agrifoodnetworks.org/article/africa-needs-to-develop-both-its-agriculture-and-food-processing-industry
Agbugba, I.K. & Isukul A. C. 2020. Growing the Nigerian Economy: Embracing a Youth Developmental Approach, Development Bank of Nigeria Journal of Economics and Sustainable Growth, 3(2), 1-19.
Children’s Hunger Fund, 2023. Available at: https://childrenshungerfund.org/blog /10-interesting-facts-about-rwanda/
Ikechi Agbugba, PhD, April 2023. My Recent Trip To the Beautiful Eastern African City – Kigali; Rwanda Development Board, RDB, 2023. Available online: https://rdb.rw/investment-opportunities/agriculture/
Related
#1 So happy to read your comment on this and I must commend you for being exceptional and a typical example of a brain re-engineered Rwandan youth.
I am also happy to learn of the success stories of President Kagame and how he is setting the pace for future Presidents and leaders in East African, sub Saharan Africa and other African nations.
I had mentioned in 2020, during my interview with Dick Veerman, that a scientific and technology-driven agriculture is the game plan that can attract young persons in the food and agricultural systems issues and that is where the Brain Re-engineering Strategy comes since it is a holistic sustainability agenda to unlock efficiency and productivity in the food and ag sector through entrepreneurship development and technology amalgamation into the concerns of farmers and practitioners in food and agricultural supply chains.
In order words, digitalising the ag sector is nonetheless the enabler of every food and ag organization to speed up the change process, make an agile approach possible, thereby learning faster from consumers and competitors. Food organizations and industries, are open to utilise the latest sophisticated technology options to drive digital transformation. The commonest examples include AI in agriculture and food systems, agricultural drones, block-chain technology and internet of things (IoTs).
As a matter of fact, that food and agricultural systems have experienced transformation for the last 7 decades is a remarkable achievement; and the pivotal role of youths in this evolution process are likely to lack productive resources such as land, capital, among other factors. Hence, opportunities which are keys to solutions and innovative problem-solving initiatives always stares no matter how frustrating they appear at the first instance.
Thank you so much, Ikechi Agbugba, PhD. As youth who have been along the straggle of my country, I can mention that in Africa, we need to have visionary leaders who really understand the situation of the population. I remember during my primary studies. Our vision leader, His Excellency Poul Kagame, started many movements, but at the initial stage, the citizens were confused about it. but the consistency of it transforms everyone in our country.
e.g., like how our citizens were living in a traditional way. building their house with grasses, but our president has started the new way to redefine the new way to live for every citizen. This helps everyone in terms of mind transformation.
Another programme was giving cows to every poor family living in a rural area so that they could access milk to feed their family. This programme absolutely changed the standard of living for citizens.
I can end by saying thank you so much for your visit to Rwanda. You're welcome again to the country of the Thousand Hills.
and also thank you for this concept."Brain Re-Engineering (BRECR): My Proposal for Revamping East Africa through Youth Engagement". We are lucky to say keep working for the future of all Africans.