Yesterday’s reading of the national budget in Parliament by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, John Rwangombwa, highlighted Rwanda’s desire to wean itself off donor funding. This year’s budget will see external financing for the budget drop to 46 per cent, all the while making sure that our impressive growth is maintained.For this to become possible, agriculture, the sector that we depend on the most, must modernize and diversify. The international prices for our two main export crops, tea and coffee, are most likely going to fall. Therefore, it’s essential that other players come to the fore. Enter our horticulturists.The global market for fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables and essential oils is booming and Rwandans must tap into this market.The Rwanda Horticulture Inter-profession Organisation (RIO) is a resource that farmers and businessmen and women should utilise. RIO’s goal is to help Rwandan fruit and vegetable farmers meet local and international demand for their goods but it will only reach its goals if it’s embraced by the farming community.
