NYARUGENGE - In response to the prevailing global food crisis, the Ministry of Agriculture has set a target to harvest at least five tonnes of legumes on a hectare of land.

Currently, only 0.7 tonnes of legumes are produced on one hectare.

The development was announced by State Minister in charge of Agriculture, Agnes Kalibata, during the official launch of the ‘Legume Breeders’ Network’ at the Kigali Serena Hotel on Monday.

"To give a balance in food availability and nutritious varieties, we need to shift attention from beans as has been the case to better products like Soya beans and ground nuts with great potential of transforming the agricultural sector,” Agnes Kalibata said in her remarks.

The meeting brought together scientific researchers, representatives of seed companies and farmers’ cooperatives from 13 countries in the East, Southern and the Western Africa.

"We recognise that majority of the farmers are poor and the greatest challenge is how to effectively support them to give efficient and sustainable results,” Kalibata said.

She added: "Only by giving the programme due attention and producing food which is more nutritious will Africa be able to overcome poverty and hunger.”

The State Minister emphasised that the current seeds used by local farmers do not stand the challenges of pests, disease and water stress which is why value addition is taking centre stage.

"Apart from our policy of increasing the productivity of the soil, we are also working on training local farmers and providing them with quality seeds,” explained Jane Ininda on behalf of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

She revealed that grants totalling $ 375,925 have been extended to Rwanda since AGRA was set up in 2007.

Ininda added that with support from governments, donors, the private industry and guided by the perseverance and ingenuity of the farmers themselves, an equitable green revolution in Africa is indeed possible.

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