The Government of Rwanda has unveiled two major investment programs aimed at promoting climate-smart agriculture and sustainable land management, with the goal of safeguarding food security and enhancing the country’s capacity to cope with the impacts of climate change.
These programs were announced on December 16, 2025, during the 18th meeting of the National Cross-Sectoral Task Force on restoring degraded land and promoting sustainable agriculture, held in Kigali.
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye, stated that agriculture cannot be separated from sound environmental management, emphasizing that it is the foundation of sustainable development and a resilient economy.
She said: “Agriculture does not stand alone. Its productivity depends on healthy soils, reliable water systems, restored forests, and functioning ecosystems.” She added that climate change is increasingly affecting agriculture, infrastructure, and national investments.
She further said: “Insufficient or excessive rainfall, floods, droughts, and soil erosion are damaging agricultural productivity, infrastructure, and long-term national investments.”
The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, said that the Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan aims to transform agriculture into a sector that delivers high and sustainable productivity while being resilient to climate change.
He said “This plan will be implemented over five years, from 2025 to 2030, with an estimated investment of 355 million US dollars.” He added “It is not just a number. It is an investment in our people, our land, and the future of the country.”
The plan is built on three pillars, expanding climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening farm production and market access to increase farmers’ incomes, and promoting sustainable practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing productivity.
Key projects under this plan include initiatives valued between 17.5 million and 33 million euros, as well as a youth-focused agriculture program with a potential investment of 100 million US dollars.
On the government side, the Minister of Local Government, Dominique Habimana, emphasized that the success of these programs depends on active participation by communities and local authorities.
He said: “At the heart of this plan is participatory planning, where citizens and local governments are at the forefront of decision-making.” He added: “When communities take the lead, investments last and deliver sustainable results.”
He noted that village-level land-use planning programs have already been implemented in 21 districts covering 470 villages, with an additional 200 villages expected to be included in the near future.
The IUCN Country Director in Rwanda, Kaori Yasuda, confirmed that the organization will continue supporting the Government of Rwanda with technical assistance, resource mobilization, and capacity building.
She said: “IUCN will continue working with Rwanda to implement national programs related to land restoration and promoting sustainable agriculture.”
Participants concluded by emphasizing that while launching these programs is an important step, coordinated efforts by the government, private sector, partners, and communities will determine their success in safeguarding food security, improving livelihoods, and protecting the environment.
