Rwanda, March 2021
Extended CARD Working Week for developing Project Concept Notes under the NRDS-II in Rwanda (9-11 March 2021)
Taskforce responsible for overseeing the drafting and implementation of National Rice Development Strategies (NRDS) in Rwanda recently met online through a CARD working week (16-19 February, 2021) and prioritized the required interventions under the 2nd phase of NRDS (NRDS-II; 2021-2030). The taskforce grouped these interventions under 5 major themes viz., (1) Reclamation of new marshlands; (2) Rehabilitation of infrastructures in existing marshlands; (3) Reinforcement of catchment areas associated with the marshlands where rice is currently grown; (4) Mechanization of smallholder rice farms; and (5) Improvisation of market competitiveness of locally produced rice.
These thematic areas are also aligned with the specific objectives of Rwanda’s NRDS-II. The taskforce were able to develop a total of 3 concept notes during that working week. Two concept notes (one each under mechanization and rehabilitation of marshlands) were shared with JICA-Rwanda officials for their inputs and further discussion with a survey team which is intending to support implementation of NRDS-II in CARD member countries through a CARD Grant Aid. The third concept note that was prepared by the taskforce focused on improvement of catchment areas associated with those marshlands where rehabilitation is intended through CARD Grant Aid. Due to time constraints, the taskforce was not able to complete the preparation of concept notes under all the above mentioned 5 thematic areas. Hence the NRDS taskforce requested the CARD Secretariat to organize an extended working week and provide technical assistance for completing the tasks on preparation of concept notes that could lead to the implementation of the NRDS-II.
CARD activity and the results
Due to COVID-19 related lockdown measures in Rwanda, the taskforce members were not allowed to attend meeting in a classical face-to-face mode. Hence, the working week was organized in an online mode using MS-Teams platform during 9-11 March 2021. While the regional consultant of CARD joined from his home base, the taskforce members and other resource persons joined from their respective work stations and/or homes. A total of about 9 participants attended the meeting throughout the working week.
The regional consultant opened the workshop by recalling the purpose and expected outputs of the previous CARD working week held in February, and refreshed the participants with a summary of the outcomes. JICA-Rwanda officials, Ms. Rieko Shibata and Mr. Takanori Satoyama, updated the participants on the status of the two concept notes under CARD Grant Aid. Apparently their discussions with the CARD Grant Aid team have led them to believe that the concept note prepared by the taskforce on mechanization has gained favorable traction with the survey team. In this context, the regional consultant urged Dr. Charles Murekezi, the focal point of the NRDS taskforce, to quickly respond to a recent email query from the CARD Grant Aid team on the concept note on mechanization.
In consistence with the strategic approaches outlined under the NRDS-II, the participants discussed how mechanization could help enhance the total factor productivity in smallholder rice farms. Since rice is almost exclusively cultivated in marshlands in Rwanda, proper designing of marshlands and plots become important for adoption of machineries by smallholder farmers. As yet however, access roads and common areas for the movement of machineries such as tractors, power tillers and combine harvesters are not adequately included, especially for the interior smallholder lands of the marshlands. Although such architectural deficiencies hinder the rate of adoption of mechanization by smallholder rice farmers, mechanization service providers in the marshlands are presently trying to circumvent such issues through mutual and collective understanding of farmers.
During the discussions however, the participants felt that individual farmers might be able to readily adopt mechanization in postharvest handling activities such as drying, threshing, winnowing, packing and transporting the grains to traders and/or millers. Besides cutting down the postharvest losses of grains, such an approach shall also enhance the quality of grains and market competitiveness. With this rationale, the participants prepared a concept note that will help (i) improve the technical and financial appropriateness of machineries used by smallholder rice farmers for harvest and postharvest activities; and (ii) promote the adoption of appropriate machineries for harvesting and postharvest tasks
Since the NRDS-II envisages expansion of area under rice cultivation as an important means of raising the total rice production in the country, the participants prepared two concept notes on new marshland development – (i) For those marshlands where pre-feasibility studies for sustainable rice cultivation are already available; the concept note proposes elaborate-feasibility study, construction of required infrastructures, mobilization of farmers and putting in place supply chains for seeds, fertilizers and grains; and (ii) For those marshlands where rice production seems appropriate, the second concept note proposes pre-feasibility studies that will establish hydraulic, socio-economic and ecological sustainability of rice farming.
In order to improve the market competitiveness of the local rice production; the taskforce members prepared a concept note that focuses on (i) enhancement of the competitiveness features (price and quality) of locally produced rice; and (ii) de-risking of the marketing of locally produced rice from trade-related issues. To improve coordination and strengthen linkages amongst stakeholders of the entire rice value chain, the concept note also proposes formation of a National Rice Stakeholders’ Forum (NRSF) that will engage at periodic intervals and discuss challenges in market pricing and trading of the local rice, amongst other issues.
Way forward
The taskforce members agreed to share the concept notes with other stakeholders for suggestions and comments. Once finalized, these concept notes will be released along with NRDS-II document during an official event. The taskforce members will then approach development partners and lobby for funds that will ensure a concrete implementation of the NRDS-II in Rwanda. JICA-Rwanda office and CARD Secretariat will help the taskforce members finalize and submit the two concept notes for funding under the CARD Grant Aid. Dr. Charles Murekezi (Focal point) of the taskforce will communicate with JICA-Rwanda office, CARD Secretariat and MINAGRI for further financial and technical assistance for conducting a comprehensive rice value chain analyses in Rwanda.
