A landmark visit to Rwanda set the stage for deeper collaboration in agricultural research and innovation as IITA and the Government of Rwanda explored new avenues for partnership. During the visit, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, met with Prime Minister, Right Honorable Dr Edouard Ngirente, to discuss strategies for leveraging scientific advancements to transform Rwanda’s agriculture sector.
Their discussions focused on expanding research collaboration and strengthening capacity-building initiatives for young scientists, reinforcing Rwanda’s commitment to agricultural innovation.
Receiving Dr Ehui in his office, Prime Minister Dr Ngirente underscored the importance of research-driven solutions in addressing Rwanda’s agricultural challenges. He expressed appreciation for IITA’s contributions and emphasized the need to deepen collaboration to drive impactful agri-food systems transformation. The meeting set the stage for enhanced engagement between IITA and Rwanda’s national institutions, ensuring that research and innovation are central to boosting agricultural productivity and food security.
During his two-day visit, Dr Ehui engaged with other key government officials, including the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Marc Cyubahiro Bagabe, and the Director General of Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Dr Telesphore Ndabamenye. He also held discussions with development partners such as the Country Office of the African Development Bank and the World Bank; and the Africa Food System Summit Secretariat to explore ways to strengthen collaboration to scale up research and innovation in the country. .
During his visit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Ehui was warmly welcomed by Minister Dr Cyubahiro. Discussions focused on aligning IITA’s strategies with Rwanda’s fifth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 5) and the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST 2). The Minister reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to research partnerships that yield tangible results for farmers, emphasizing the need to mobilize resources jointly for high-impact programs.
“We want to do more with IITA and CGIAR, especially in research,” said Minister Dr Cyubahiro. “We need solutions that address the real challenges faced by our national agriculture systems. Let’s work together to attract investment and drive transformative programs for our priority crops and inputs.”
At RAB, Dr Ehui met with Director General Ndabamenye to discuss ongoing collaboration and future opportunities. The meeting reinforced the need for sustainable research and innovation systems that equip farmers with the tools and knowledge to improve productivity.
“Partnership is essential,” Dr Ndabamenye emphasized. “We need research as the engine of development, especially in agriculture, ensuring that farmers have access to the right innovations to boost productivity and livelihoods.”
Discussions at RAB also focused on expanding IITA’s role in key agricultural initiatives. Priorities included strengthening seed systems in banana and cassava, promoting digital tools for pest disease and soil fertility management, and capacity development for young scientists on cutting-edge research areas.
Dr Ehui reaffirmed IITA’s commitment to supporting Rwanda’s agricultural goals, emphasizing the importance of learning from each other to maximize impact. “Rwanda has demonstrated remarkable success in meeting agricultural targets,” he said. “We want to build on this model of collaboration, ensuring that research leads to real success stories across Africa.”
As part of his visit, the DG met with IITA staff in Rwanda and leaders from other CGIAR centers, including International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (the Alliance), and the International Potato Center (CIP). He stressed the importance of working together under the One CGIAR framework to achieve greater impact at scale.
Contributed by Ritha Bumwe
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