Rwanda yesterday marked the World Food Day on a positive note; our farmers are producing enough cereals to feed the whole population with surplus for external markets. Figures from the Ministry of Agriculture put annual output above 1.5 million tonnes, slightly more than domestic demand of 1.2 million tonnes. This is no mean achievement considering the scandalous food shortage in the world where about 805 million people go to bed hungry every night, according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). Nearer home, in the Sub Sahara Africa region, FAO reports that one in every nine people go to sleep hungry daily and one in every four are “chronically undernourished.” That no Rwandan goes to sleep on an empty stomach is neither an act of sheer luck, nor manna from heaven, but government interventions aimed at increased productivity through effective land use. Land consolidation, expansion of land under irrigation as well increased use of fertilisers and improved seeds have increased yields – even as global warming threatens food production worldwide. However, we must not think that the battle against hunger and malnutrition is over. Hard work remains to be done to produce more food rich in vitamins and animal proteins – such as fish, chicken, beef, milk and milk products; for Rwandans shall not live on cereals alone. Rwandans also need fruits for vitamins necessary to build immunity to various diseases. That is why the campaign to plant fruit trees is commendable and must be supported from the top levels of leadership down to family level. Only when each Rwandan child can drink adequate milk, eat recommended amount of fish, chicken and beef can we declare the battle against malnutrition over.
