The Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Gerardine Mukeshimana has urged investors, youth and farmers to practice commercial agriculture to boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Mukeshimana made the remarks on Friday at the Private Sector Federation (PSF) Accountability Day in Kigali.

The event was organised by PSF and the Chamber of Rwanda Farmers’ (CoRF) at PSF, in partnership with the Kingdom of Netherlands.

"The Agricultural sector is the second biggest contributor to our country’s GDP by 33 percent; it has potential to develop our country, ensure food security, provide employment to many Rwandans and increase our exports. It has a big role as far as our development vision is concerned,” Mukeshimana said.

"We want people who practice agriculture to benefit and develop their societies. Currently this sector employs about 72 percent of Rwandans and 90 percent of Rwandans depend on it. We can’t afford to do without it as it presents very many opportunities,” she added.

Christine Murebwayire, the chairperson of the Chamber of Rwanda Farmers, said they have achieved a lot such as linking farmers to both local and international markets among other benefits, but they face challenges which are affecting their progress.

"We are facing many challenges such as lack of international certificates to access international markets, high cargo transport costs and climate change effects, these hinder our work, we need support,” Murebwayire said.

The vice-chairperson of the PSF, Francine Uwera Havugimana, promised to engage airlines such as RwandAir to evy favourable cargo transport charges to farmers.

Meanwhile Mukeshimana talked of the need to invest more in irrigation systems to address climate change challenges.

The Accountability Day took place at the ongoing expo taking place at Gikondo Expo grounds.

The expo which closes today attracted farmers from across the country, exhibiting different agricultural products.

Views of exhibitors

Maurice Muhire, a juice exhibitor from Cavafga Cooperative in Gakenke District said the event offered them an avenue to promote their products. "Our products are exposed to a bigger market,” Muhire said.

He noted that currently their products are consumed by locals but their dream is to venture in international markets.

"This event has helped us share experiences with others. We need regular expos to create market linkages,” Esdras Nzabonimpa, a flower exhibitor from Rubavu said.

Nzabonimpa also called for organised field tours for farmers.

"This will help us learn from others and vice versa, our aim is to develop and diversify.”

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