Increase market access for farmers

Last week, the World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development, Rachel Kyte, applauded Rwanda as one of the countries where one can easily see the impact of investment made after the 2008 food crisis, particularly in the agriculture sector. During her three-day visit, where she toured the World Bank funded projects across the country, Kyte said that the Government has succeeded in rolling out measures necessary to improve the country’s food security status. Rwanda has improved agriculture output thanks to initiatives like large investments in production and storage, transformation of landscapes as well as the supply of quality seeds and fertilisers to farmers. The initiatives, have not only boosted yields and increased gains to the farmers, but they have also lifted the country into a food secure nation. Nevertheless, while government has initiated strategies to maintain the pace and even perform better through increased funding as well as extended services to more farmers to improve seed productivity, there is need for support in finding markets for the increased output. One way of doing this is by strengthening farmers’ business management skills and integrating them into the value chain. Giving farmer business management tools will increase their ability to access dynamic markets and hence reap the best benefits. Ends

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Increase market access for farmers