On March 26, 2026, representatives from government, academia, and the agricultural sector convened for a high-level stakeholder dialogue at the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA). The workshop discussed challenges facing Rwanda’s agriculture. It also explored innovative strategies to enhance agricultural education alongside national development goals
In particular, the dialogue explored the agriculture sector’s potential to create greater impact for communities and the economy, driving optimal transformation aligned with the Rwandan Government’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
Participants included policymakers, industry players, and leaders from the University of Rwanda, the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), Rwanda Polytechnic, Rwanda TVET Board, IPRC Gishari and IPRC Karongi.
Throughout the discussions, participants highlighted the necessity of positioning agriculture as a central force in Rwanda’s economy. Their vision extends beyond job creation, aiming to nurture a new generation of young Rwandans who view agriculture as a sector of opportunity, not merely a means of survival.
A Call for Knowledge and Skills Integration
Hon. Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye is the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources. He emphasized empowering youth to create a lasting agricultural legacy. He noted that a holistic approach to agricultural productivity requires both knowledge and practical skills. “We can’t modernize the agriculture sector if there is no knowledge and no skills,” stated Minister Ndabamenye.
Investing in Skills Development for Economic Transformation
The Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) aims to boost productivity and create quality jobs in Rwanda. To achieve this, agriculture remains at the heart of the country’s economic transformation, with expectations for it to evolve into a modern, productive, and market-driven engine of growth.
However, achieving a profitable, innovative, and impactful agricultural sector requires farmers to be equipped with the necessary practical knowledge and skills. Moreover, the inclusion of young people is essential to ensure a broad and lasting impact.
To support this effort, Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Education, offered a powerful vision for advancing agricultural transformation. He stated, “First, we must align education and training with the real needs of the sector… Second, we must embed practical, hands-on learning into all our programs. Skills are not acquired in classrooms alone; they are built in fields, in enterprises, and in real-world problem-solving environments.”
RICA Interim Vice Chancellor Olusegun Yerokun echoed the Minister’s call to fundamentally reimagine agricultural education in Rwanda.
“At RICA, we believe that education must go beyond theory. It must be practical, innovative, and responsive to national priorities. Our model emphasizes experiential learning, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, equipping graduates not only with knowledge but also with the skills and mindset to drive change in the agricultural sector,” said Yerokun.
RICA Leading Transformative Change Through Conservation Agriculture
RICA equips graduates with practical skills and innovative strategies. These tools help tackle urgent challenges like soil health and food security. By empowering communities, RICA helps increase productivity, boost smallholder farmer income, and build resilient food systems, all through its hallmark approach: Conservation Agriculture (CA).
This important mission positions RICA as a regional leader in Conservation Agriculture. RICA supports Rwanda’s goal of building a food-secure, middle-income nation by preparing the next generation of young leaders transforming agriculture. It accomplishes this through a range of initiatives, including education, training and extension services.
