The government in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has completed an assessment and evaluation exercise in which a strategy by IFAD to curb poverty was disclosed.

IFAD’s Country Programme Manager, Claus Reiner, said the NGO took the lead in helping Government develop a comprehensive policy framework for agriculture that would empower rural poor to make effective transformation of the agricultural sector.

"Since 1970, IFAD has been financing agricultural development projects primarily for food production in the developing countries,” said Claus.

He added it would also focus on country-specific solutions, which can involve increasing rural poor peoples’ access to financial services, markets, technology, land and other natural resources.

IFAD has so far funded twelve investment projects in Rwanda since 1981 for a total of $120 million, and the current country programme totals $68 million.

The main areas of focus are off-farm employment, decentralization and local development, market access, policy support and mainstreaming of technical innovations.

The Director General of Central Public Investments and External Financing Bureau (CEPEX), George Katurebe, said the government of Rwanda Strategic Opportunities Programme was under way to determine which areas need urgent attention.

"This would raise economic opportunities of the rural poor and increase their income in a sustainable manner,” Katurebe said.

Meanwhile, IFAD is finalising the design of a new operation in Rwanda, Kirehe Community-based Watershed Management Project (KWAMP) to be launched early in 2009.

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