Agriculture should remain a priority

Editor, THIS IS in reaction to the story, “EU commits Rwf184bn to agriculture devt” (The New Times, June 11) Agriculture should most definitely remain a priority for Rwanda and sub-Saharan Africa for that matter. In the past decades, African countries that have prioritised agriculture, have frequently did so for the wrong reasons either out of pressure or mistaken views. As a matter of fact, agricultural exports were often the main driver of internal agricultural policies, in order to create trade surpluses, which would serve to repay national debt/interests. That is very good when countries can afford it (when they can already feed their population). Otherwise, this approach is just about trading one dependency for another. Agricultural policies that we’re seeing in Rwanda today are important because they are precisely addressing the above point. And for that, kudos to the government and the Minister of Agriculture in particular! Diyana, Rwanda

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Agriculture should remain a priority