Agriculture forms an important part of the backbone of Rwanda’s economy. According to government statistics, the industry contributes to more than one third of the national GDP and employs about 70 percent of the entire population.
Rwanda has one of the highest population densities in Africa, and the country’s agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder farmers, who often make their living on less than half of a hectare (1.2 acres) of land. Due to its dense population, small average land sizes, and the dominance of agriculture as a profession nationally, it is vital that Rwanda’s agriculture sector develops to become as efficient as possible. Rwanda needs to generate the most it can from its agricultural land in order to support a growing population that depends on it, and ensure the country’s food security and national food sovereignty.
Agriculture in Rwanda is changing rapidly, thanks in large part to government efforts to help the sector commercialize and grow. Agriculture has been a major force in poverty reduction across the country, government data shows, and today more than 80 percent of the population is food secure. RICA, too, is doing its part by educating students in conservation agriculture, and equipping Rwanda’s next generation of leaders with the skills they need to help the country’s agricultural industry be sustainable as it grows.
Agriculture: A Dynamic, Impactful Sector to Build a Career
Agriculture is a dynamic industry with a growing number of career opportunities that span across multiple sectors. RICA uses a hands-on learning approach, so that students have real-world skills when they graduate and are ready to launch their own businesses or dive into careers across the food and farming supply chain, as well as in the government, international development, and nonprofit nonprofit sectors.
Importantly, RICA educates students in conservation agriculture – a set of practices that are increasingly important for Rwanda’s food and farming sector as it develops. Conservation agriculture focuses on soil health and the long-term sustainability of the land. Educating students to be champions of conservation agriculture and encouraging more farmers and food producers to implement sound practices will be vitally important to ensure Rwanda’s agricultural productivity for generations to come.