Editor,

I would like through your paper to express my sincere appreciation to the recently announced grant – The Rural Investment Facility that was offered by the World Bank to Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI).

I was so impressed by this facilitation and hope that many Rwandan farmers will benefit from it, as their lives change. This can only happen if the finances are well managed by beneficiaries.

I am optimistic that through grants like these, agriculture will no longer be a last resort to survive on but rather another investment potential. Since the sector has financing challenges from local commercial banks this grant is therefore timely.

I can only encourage farmers to be innovation and exploit the facility, and hope that the government through the Agricultural sector will provide technical assistance as a way towards promoting competitive projects.

Agriculture in our country is considered to be the center of development since it’s the backbone of the economy. Last year alone it contributed 15 percent to the national GDP, through employing 90 percent of the poipulation.

Kacyiru-Kigali