KAMPALA - The government of Rwanda has been commended for having emphasized agricultural investment to propel the country’s economy.

The commendation was made on Tuesday by the African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Rhoda Peace Tumusime, while addressing journalists.

Tumusime, who was addressing members of the media on the problem of refugees, natural disasters, climate change and food security, said Rwanda doubled its investments in agriculture in order to guarantee food security for the population.

The AU Commissioner who is in Uganda to attend the ongoing special summit on refugees, returnees and displaced persons, commented that the money which is used for the importation of food should be used for investments in Agriculture.

She further noted that in order to guarantee food security for all the people, there is need to deal with issues of land management, water, sanitation, rural infrastructure, market supply and increase on food production.

According to Tumusime, the Africa Union Commission and in particular the department of Rural Economy and Agriculture is currently coordinating the implementation of continental programmes and projects in various relevant areas of climate change and sustainable development.

It is reported that the African Union Heads of State Summit which was held in July 2009 in Libya, addressed the theme of investing in agriculture for economic growth and food security thereby reaffirming their resolution to increase agricultural production.

"The increase in the production of food avoids the recurrence of the challenges posed by the recent high food prices, climate change and other global issues,” said Tumusime.

She added that some African countries have renewed their commitment of investing in agriculture to check food shortage.

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