Here’s how Rwanda plans to curb food wastage, end food insecurity

Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources has set an ambitious goal to completely eradicate food insecurity by 2025. However, the issue of food loss and wastage poses a significant threat to this commitment. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Eugene Kwibuka, the spokesperson for the ministry, shed light on the efforts being made to overcome the challenge of food waste. Kwibuka emphasized that food wastage is a global issue that demands serious attention, as a significant amount of food is lost from production to processing, and even at the consumer level. The ministry is focused on empowering everyone involved in food production with the necessary information and infrastructure to minimize wastage and ensure that the hard work put into producing food does not go to waste. By working closely with farmers and stakeholders in the agriculture sector, Rwanda aims to reduce food losses along the production process and improve food security for its citizens. Kwibuka highlighted the strategic plan for agriculture transformation, which outlines clear targets for reducing food wastage and losses across different types of produce. For example, in 2015-2016, it was estimated that 26.5% of maize produced was being wasted due to various factors such as improper harvesting and storage practices. The goal is to reduce this waste to slightly over 10% by 2024. To achieve this, Rwanda has implemented various strategies, including investing in infrastructure such as drying shelters for maize and storage facilities for vegetables. In the period from 2019 to 2020, the government constructed nearly 400 maize drying shelters and 90 storage facilities to help farmers preserve their produce and minimize losses. Additionally, farmers are encouraged to build their own temporary shelters to further protect their harvest. These initiatives reflect Rwanda's commitment to tackling food waste and ensuring food security for its population. By addressing the root causes of food wastage and implementing targeted solutions, Rwanda is making significant progress towards achieving its goal of eradicating food insecurity by 2025.