NEWS: Africa’s agriculture production to decrease by 50 percent

According to statistics three quarters of Rwandans rely on agriculture as their major source of income. Production of agricultural and natural resources in Africa is projected to reduce by 50 percent by the year 2020. The drop in yield is based on the change in climatic conditions where some areas are affected by major changes in rainfall with extreme floods and droughts. This was mentioned during the 3rd edition of African Ministers’ Conference on Financing for Development in Kigali from 21st to May 22nd 2009. The two-day conference brought together African Finance and Environment Ministers and other high level representatives of national, regional and international organizations. A policy brief entitled ‘Economics of climate change’, by Paul Watkiss, studies in Kenya, Egypt, Benin, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau, National Adaptation Programmes of Action in Africa (NAPAs) identified urgent adaptation needs to avoid impacts on Agriculture and water sector. About 16 African countries, Rwanda inclusive that applied for adaptation programmes with a cost ranging between $5 million and $20 million together reached a total of $300 million. Among the countries include, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho, Zambia, Malawi, Sudan and Burundi. According to statistics three quarters of Rwandans rely on agriculture as their major source of income. There has also been an international financing mechanism for encouraging low carbon development but access to the funds has been a challenge. Developed economies are blamed over strong criteria to accesses the carbon credits because only 2 percent has been disbursed to two African countries including South Africa and Egypt. According to Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, the Director General of Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA), the nation is going to open a new page, create awareness, build institutional capacity to maximize how Rwanda can benefit from the carbon credit. “Rwanda must continue to follow a low pathways as we work towards the realization of our vision 2020, but this will bring with it significant costs,” a press statement reads in part. Meanwhile, Mukankomeje said that environmental experts are based in the Rwanda Development Board to advise investors on Environmental Impact Assessment studies. Ends