•Focus on enhancing agriculture for increased economic benefits

URUGWIRO VILLAGE - The first Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) meeting for 2009 concluded yesterday at Urugwiro Village.

The three-day meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame focused on agriculture and how to modernise this key pillar of Rwanda’s development in order to increase productivity and commercial viability.

The meeting featured presentations by heads of government institutions on the status of different areas of the sector and field visits to different parts of Rwanda to view first-hand work currently being done in horticulture, dairy farming, coffee and tea production, and crop intensification.

The agriculture sector rebounded significantly in 2008 after poor performance in 2007, and was a major factor contributing to Rwanda’s 11% economic growth rate last year.

The focus on agriculture at this PAC meeting was aimed at boosting the sector to ensure accelerated growth and maximised economic benefits.

In a related development, a joint venture was signed yesterday between the government and Australia-based ICM, represented by PAC member Doug Shears, for reinforcement of ongoing rice production in Rwamagana and Gikonko, and new expansion into other areas of agribusiness.

PAC comprises 21 members, all prominent Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, and was established by President Kagame in September 2007 to provide high-level advice on key strategic issues related to Rwanda’s economic development.

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