Students have been urged to espouse agriculture-oriented subjects to help develop the sector.

At least 257 students from four schools of EAV Kabutare, College Christ Roi, Ecole des Sciences de Byimana and Lycee de Kigali, took part in an essay writing competition about agriculture whose theme was "Enjoy the food, think agriculture.”

Officiating at the awards giving ceremony, Innocent Musabyimana, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, urged students to engage in agriculture as a profession that many Rwandans depend on.  

"Agriculture is the main economic activity for more than 75 per cent of Rwandans. We should engage the young so that they can advise their parents to adopt the use of technology in agriculture,” Musabyimana said.

The best 20 contestants were awarded a one term scholarship equivalent to Rwf 100,000. 

The first five students who made it to the last round each walked away with a laptop and cash prizes.

Gabin Kundwa, a senior four student at Ecole des Sciences de Byimana, scooped the first place. His essay titled, "Agriculture is a key sector in the economic development of Rwanda,” urged students to be confident and hardworking.

‘Tap into opportunities’

Robert Runazi, the general manager of Kinazi Cassava Plant, thanked the participants and said the competition was designed to arouse students’ interest in agriculture-oriented subjects toward the economic empowerment of the nation. 

"Despite the big number of graduates in our country, we are short of employees because many portray agriculture as a mediocre profession. However, it is noble and smart people who actually practice agriculture,” Runazi said.

"The youth constitute a big number of the population and the government is working to engage people in job creation. There are many untapped opportunities in agriculture that youths can explore. Engaging in agriculture would be a good choice like none other.”

The competition was also aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of agriculture among the young people, boost the spirit of competition and improve writing and presentation skills.

The essay writing competition takes place every year and Runazi revealed that Kinazi Cassava Plant was looking to partner with other organisations so that the next competition will be well organised and better improved.