The Rwandan government has set an ambitious target to boost agricultural and livestock productivity by 50% over the next five years. This objective is the cornerstone of the fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5), a framework running from 2024 to 2029 designed to professionalize a sector that currently supports 70% of the country’s working-age population.
A critical component of this growth involves a massive expansion of infrastructure. The government plans to increase the total area of irrigated land from the current 74,375 hectares to 132,171 hectares by 2029. To facilitate this, the state continues to provide a 50% subsidy on irrigation equipment for small-scale farmers managing plots under 10 hectares.
From Subsistence to Commercial Success
Speaking on April 2, 2026, during the launch of preparations for the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), Dr. Solange Uwituze, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, highlighted the progress already made in national food security.
“In the agricultural and livestock sector in general, we are doing well; today, Rwandans are food secure. We have more than 80% of households able to eat three times a day, so we are doing well and there is no hunger in the country,” Dr. Uwituze stated.
However, the Minister emphasized that the 50% production increase target is intended to move the nation beyond consumption and toward a business-oriented model.
“After 20 years of African agriculture being focused only on farming for consumption, we want agriculture to be done as a business, with substantial investment and technology. Because Africa has many resources to sustain itself, we should not be supported by other countries when we have enough wealth,” she added.
Leveraging the Youth Dividend
With over 70% of Rwanda’s population consisting of young people, the PSTA 5 strategy identifies the youth as the primary demographic to lead this technological shift. Dr. Uwituze noted that making the sector profitable is key to attracting this workforce.
“What we want is for agriculture to be a profitable profession, not just farming to satisfy hunger. We want the youth to enter this sector looking at investment opportunities and modern technology, because they are the strength of the future of our agriculture.”
Amath Pathe Sene, the Managing Director of the Africa Food Systems Forum, reinforced the importance of land utilization, noting that 60% of Africa’s arable land remains available for productive use. He commended Rwanda’s data-driven approach to involving women and youth in the sector’s transformation.
As Rwanda nears the 2029 deadline for its strategic plan, the focus remains on closing the gap between current yields and the 50% growth target through irrigation, technology, and private sector investment.
