Rwanda Hosts First National Symposium on Conservation Agriculture: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future

Kigali, Rwanda – In a significant step towards advancing sustainable agricultural practices in the region, the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) welcomed distinguished guests and speakers to the country’s first National Symposium on Conservation Agriculture. The event, held on March 28, 2025, was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Dr. Ron Rosati, who underscored the importance of collective effort in tackling critical issues such as fragile soils, climate change, and food security.

Speaking to a captivated audience that included Honorable Dr. Olivier Kamana from the Ministry of Agriculture, World Food Program representatives, and various stakeholders, Dr. Rosati highlighted the substantial challenges faced by Rwandan agriculture and the transformative potential of conservation agriculture. “This approach represents a future of agriculture, enabling us to enhance productivity while preserving our precious natural resources,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity for collaboration and innovation in the field.

Mr. Mulanda Jimmy Juma, representing the Rwanda-Burundi Mennonite Central Committee, echoed these sentiments, calling the symposium a “transformative journey” that empowers participants to generate innovative solutions to enhance food security and farmer incomes. He reminded the audience of the importance of unity in addressing pressing challenges like climate change, stating, “If you want to go far, go with others.”

World Food Program Country Director Mr. Andrea Bagnoli also lent his voice to the discussions, articulating the role of conservation agriculture in building climate-resilient food systems. He shared compelling data, citing that farmers applying conservation techniques saw productivity boosts of up to 28% in crops like maize. “Conservation agriculture transforms lives and livelihoods,” he affirmed, reiterating the approach’s ability to benefit women farmers by reducing labor demands and enhancing efficiency.

The symposium set the course for a collaborative agenda under Rwanda’s Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA V), which aims to increase agricultural productivity by 50% and foster sustainable agri-food systems. Honorable Dr. Kamana, representing the Ministry, unveiled ambitious goals to expand the area under conservation agriculture to 100,000 hectares by 2029 and emphasized the need for stakeholder engagement to drive these initiatives forward.

As participants engaged in fruitful discussions and exchanged insights, the symposium served as a valuable platform for fostering partnerships and harmonizing practices surrounding conservation agriculture. The event concluded with a collective commitment to integrate sustainable practices that address both current agricultural challenges and prospects for future resilience.

As Rwanda embarks on this transformative journey, the commitment to conservation agriculture stands as a beacon for food security, economic growth, and social transformation—a shared mission that promises to reshape the agricultural landscape for generations to come.