Kigali, October 16, 2025 — The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) has announced that the percentage of Rwandans who are food self-sufficient has increased to 83%. While this is a significant step, many still lack access to a balanced diet made up of diverse foods essential to the human body.
This was revealed on Thursday, October 16, 2025, during a press briefing organized in preparation for the celebration of World Food Day, which will take place in Nyamagabe District on October 24, 2025.
Dr. Ndabamenye Telesphore, Minister of State in MINAGRI, said that this progress was driven by strategies such as increasing cultivated land, improving irrigation systems, and raising public awareness on balanced diets. However, he pointed out that while food is available, its proper use for adequate nutrition still requires more effort.
“What we refer to as food security doesn’t only mean having food available, but also ensuring it is sufficient and rich in necessary nutrients. That’s where we still have gaps,” Dr. Ndabamenye explained.
On the side of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rwanda, Dr. Mukantwali Christine noted that a large number of households do not have access to a well-balanced diet.
She said, “Recent data shows that 95% of households in Rwanda are unable to access meat, fish, or milk at least once a week, even though these are part of a balanced diet.”
She added that for a person to be food secure, they must consume food that includes nutrients from various food groups such as cereals, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat, fish, and legumes — which are largely inaccessible to many.
MINAGRI states that to address this issue, awareness campaigns are ongoing to encourage people to plant fruit trees, raise small livestock like chickens and rabbits, and increase knowledge on proper nutrition through primary and secondary schools.
Nyamagabe District will host the national celebration of World Food Day because it has the highest number of people who are not food self-sufficient, according to MINAGRI’s analysis. Tools and equipment to improve food processing and increase production will also be distributed.
Although food self-sufficiency has improved, statistics show that 16% of the population eat only once a day, while 1% still face severe food shortages.
FAO also reports that in sub-Saharan Africa, about 240 million people lack sufficient food, and globally the number stands at 700 million.
