(Ecofin Agency) - On February 5, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) signed a partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to implement a 3-year program aiming at digitizing the country’s agricultural value chains. The agreement was initialed by Gaulbert Gbehounou, FAO Representative to the country and Clare Akamanzi, RDB’s CEO.

Under this program, the two partners seek to improve agricultural productivity and help farmers and companies across value chains to make more income. Activities will focus on building farmers’ capacities on e-commerce and e-payment systems, and providing logistics solutions and smart irrigation techniques, mainly in horticulture, livestock and agribusiness segments.

“Agricultural transformation, especially through competitive value chain development, is among the key pillars of our National Strategy for Transformation and FAO is a very important partner in achieving this,” Clare Akamanzi said.

Let’s note that the project called “Support local suppliers’ capacity development and promote e-commerce in Rwanda” is part of the Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) initiated by the FAO to help its member countries achieve sustainable agricultural development.

In 2018, agriculture contributed 29.04% to Rwanda's GDP. The sector employs about 72% of the working population, according to official data.

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