On December 6, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources together with its partners officially launched its first food systems and climate-resilient-centric Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5) that would run from 2025–2029.

Themed "Building Resilient and Sustainable Agri-Food Systems," which aims to revolutionise the sector while advancing Rwanda’s economic and social development agenda, the new plan will focus on wider and more ambitious priority targets like Inclusive Markets and Post-Harvest Management for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems, Modernisation of Agriculture and Animal Resources Production for Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems and Strengthening Agri-Food Systems Enablers for Effective and Efficient Delivery.

According to Dr Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, the ambitious plan will require collective efforts from all the stakeholders for its effective implementation.

"We expect much from a proper implementation of the PSTA5, mainly achieving the impact of agriculture, including food and nutrition security for Rwanda’s growing population, projected to increase from 13.2 million (today) to 22.1 million by 2050,” he said during the launch.

"This strategy is a game changer,” said Dr Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). Big plaudits to MINAGRI for weaving nutrition so tightly into their new food systems strategy. We at GAIN were proud to contribute to the plan’s development and we look forward to supporting implementation.”

The PSTA5 presents a bold, transformative roadmap to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food security, and integrate nutrition-sensitive practices. It marks Rwanda’s first food systems and climate-resilient-centric strategy, addressing the challenges of climate change and sustainable food demand.

Aligned with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Rwanda Vision 2050, PSTA5 focuses on modernising agriculture through climate-smart practices, empowering smallholder farmers, and promoting equity in rural and urban communities.

The five-year strategic plan is expected to cost over 5.1 billion dollars and its expected that about 44.2 per cent of the total budget expected from private sector investments in infrastructure, value chains, and climate-smart initiatives, while the rest will be covered through the government’s public investments and partners.

GAIN’s contribution

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Rwanda has been a key player in shaping nutrition through national policies and strategies aimed at reducing malnutrition, particularly child stunting. This is achieved by collaborating with the Government of Rwanda, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, the National Child Development Agency, and various other agencies and partners to improve the health and well-being of Rwandans by ensuring access to healthier diets.

With support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, GAIN has emerged as a key player in tackling the complex challenges of malnutrition. Through targeted programmes and strategic partnerships, GAIN is ensuring that nutritious food becomes accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable populations.

GAIN Rwanda actively supports initiatives aimed at reducing malnutrition, especially child stunting. It aligns its efforts with national priorities through various policies and strategies, such as the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2). By integrating nutrition into food systems planning, GAIN helps ensure that interventions are impactful and sustainable over the long term.