Gatsibo farmers have been urged to enhance productivity in agriculture, tackle climate challenges, as well as select nutritious food production as Rwanda marked World Food Day 2026 with the theme, “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow.”
In Gatsibo District, Rwanda celebrated World Food Day 2026 by bringing together government officials, development partners and farmers to address the key role of agriculture innovations, climate resilience and improved nutrition in enhancing food security in the country.
The national celebrations were attended by Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Hon. Dr Telesphore Ndabamenye; Minister of State in the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Hon. Dr Solange Uwituze; the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Rwanda, Mohamed Aw-Dahir; farmers and other partners.
Speaking during the celebrations, Minister Ndabamenye said that in order to ensure sustainable food security, innovation, accountability and readiness are necessary.
Food security is more than just producing more food. Farmers have to incorporate climate-smart practices, use water and other resources properly, and ensure that the food produced is both nutritious and easy to access. By preparing for climate risks and working together, we will be able to create a more productive and food-secure Rwanda,” the Minister stated.
Note: The statement is a paraphrase of what the Minister is reported to have said.
He advised farmers to use fertilisers properly, manage weed growth, and combat diseases and pests in order to increase the quantities produced.
He asked farmers to use rainwater and rainfall for the needs of irrigation and livestock and plan for after-harvest activities.
The Minister added that farmers should join crop and livestock insurance schemes and that the government is ready to offer a subsidy of up to 40 per cent in the case of their participation.
He pointed out that dairy farmers should invest in feed supply, including growing fodder crops, having access to water, and controlling diseases.
The celebrations included a series of activities demonstrating how agriculture, livestock production, and nutrition can help ensure food security.
Minister Ndabamenye and FAO Representative in Rwanda, Mohamed Aw-Dahir, joined in the application of fertilizers on the maize farm planted at the beginning of Agricultural Season 2027A at the World Food Baskets site in Gatsibo.
This activity emphasized the significance of proper management of crops and soil fertility in promoting agricultural production.
In Kiziguro Sector, the Minister of State, Solange Uwituze, joined vegetables growers and their partners in planting Juncao grass, a species of fodder grass that is currently being promoted to increase the accessibility to nutritious animal feeds.
The main point of the programme is to assist farmers in obtaining a better and more steady supply of animal feed, raise productivity, and increase the quantity of milk produced. The securing of nutritious feed is an essential element of improving livestock performance and farmers' incomes.
Another part of the celebration was providing the farmers with cattle under the Government's Girinka Programme. The event was attended by Minister Ndabamenye, Minister of State Uwituze, the FAO Representative and the officials from the Eastern Province.
The goal of the programme is to increase the nutrition of households, increase the amount of milk produced and create conditions for local farming families to make money.
The Minister pointed out that food security does not only depend on growing food and raising animals. There are other components of food security that need to be taken into account; for example, the availability of a good diet.
The celebrations embraced activities involving growing fruit trees and good nutrition. The representatives of the authorities participated in a joint activity with local residents where they fed little children, showing that it is important to provide children with healthy food necessary for adequate growth and development.
Leaders visit exhibits featuring agricultural and livestock products showcased during the Agri-Farmer Exhibition in Gatsibo District.
The Minister also said that planting and taking care of fruit trees should be continued, especially in schools where fruit trees can contribute to better nutrition of children and environmental education.
The celebration included a small tree-planting event where 2,000 trees were presented by WFP. The trees are expected to help eliminate soil erosion and produce fruits used for nutrition of schoolchildren.
The initiative tells of the connection of environmental protection with nutrition in other words, tree-planting improves nutrition on the one hand and ensures better environment on the other hand.
One of the main focuses of the Agri-Farmer Exhibition, which was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of State, the FAO Representative and officials from the Eastern Province, was agricultural innovation.
The event gathered the agricultural community to share ideas about their accomplishments and technologies in agriculture, including innovations, improved farming techniques, better crop yields, improved food security and sustainable agriculture.
The exhibition helps strengthen the significance of farmers’ and the private sector contribution to the evolution of agricultural development in Rwanda.
In Gatsibo, events showed the different goals of this year’s World Food Day theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow.” The theme encompasses such key goals as improving agriculture productivity, nutrition by animal husbandry, protection of natural resources and ensuring direct correlation between agricultural production and nutrition.
Climate change motivates farm owners to think wisely when preparing for different agricultural activities. Water-saving techniques, updated soil and plant management techniques, use of agricultural insurance and modern livestock feeding schemes allow farmers to reduce various risks.
Credit was given by the Minister of agriculture partners engaged in the development, private sector, and farmers and livestock farmers in making the country food-secure. The Minister emphasized the need for further collaboration in making the determinant factors more productive, resilient to climate change, and food secure.
Rwanda’s celebration of World Food Day also confirmed that food security is not just about growing food products. It implies that it is necessary to use resources that sustain agriculture and ensure that food reaches households.