ICA Rwanda: 2020 updates
In Rwanda, ICA started its operations in mid-2019. Let’s review the latest achievements of the programme!
Key sector strategy
- Strategy for youth employment in Agri-Food systems
FAO ICA received a formal request from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) to support the development of a dedicated Strategy for youth employment in Agri-Food systems. A national consultant has been selected for this purpose.
Technical support
- Empowering youth networks
FAO defined priorities for strengthening the capacities of the Rwandan Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF), established with previous FAO support. ICA prioritized the support to the development of new RYAF Strategic Plan 2021-2025, as well as RYAF Administrative regulations and Website upgrading.
- Decent jobs for youth in agri-food value chains
Four horticultural value chains (namely french beans, chili, tomato and passion fruit) have been prioritized for a youth-sensitive value chain analysis. The study, ongoing, is being conducted by SNV.
- Upgrading sustainable youth-led agribusinesses
FAO signed a Letter of Intent with JR Farms to support its Green Agribusiness Fund (GAF), an initiative aimed at strengthening youth agripreneurs through equity finance, market network, capacity building and mentorship. For the 2020 pilot, 2 youth-led Rwandan companies were selected based on criteria such as economic, social and environmental sustainability: Sanit Wing Ltd and Rwanda Bio Solution. These businesses will benefit from 7,500 USD equity investment from JR Farms as well as training and coaching support.
Training support might be extended to the other shortlisted candidates and RYAF more broadly on aspects such as financial mentorship, capacity building and access to market networks, with specific focus on young women-led enterprises, which were found more vulnerable throughout the process.
COVID-19 response
ICA partnered with the Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF) to collect youth voices through two special Knowledge Exchange sessions addressing the key consequences and potential implications of COVID-19 for youth-led agribusinesses. Those were conducted both in English and Kinyarwanda using RYAF social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp groups.
Further to this assessment, ICA will conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of a network of RYAF e-shops and possibly procure cooling machines.
Find out more on COVID-19 response in ICA countries
Partnerships
- Public sector: Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI)
- Private sector: JR Farms
Youth networks
Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF)
Intra-FAO synergies
- FAO Agrifood Economics Division (ESA): Youth-sensitive analysis of 4 horticulture value chains
- FAO Rural Institutions, Services and Empowerment (RISE) Team in the Inclusive rural transformation and gender equity division (ESP): synergies ongoing for design of a Technical Assistance Facility for Youth (TAFY).
Publications
- Context analysis (2020)
- Overview of statistics of Rwanda (2020)
What’s cooking for 2021
- Technical support and capacity development for youth to access the opportunities identified in the priority horticulture value chains
- Study on assessing the bottlenecks to formalization for young Agripreneurs in Rwanda
- Policy dialogue around the development of the Strategy for youth employment in Agri-Food systems
- RYAF support on the priority entry points joint identified