A delegation from Côte d'Ivoire visits Rwanda
5 July 2016, Kigali - A 12-man delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of Côte d'Ivoire conducted a week-long study tour to Rwanda as part of the FAO programme to promote exchange and sharing of knowledge among countries under the South–South Cooperation initiative. The team received first-hand experience on the best practices in land management, restoration and sustainable wetland management.
On the first day of the tour, the team visited the FAO Rwanda office where the FAO Representative to Rwanda, Mr. Attaher Maiga provided a briefing on the four priority areas of FAO in Rwanda and an overview of policies and programs involving land management, land restoration, and sustainable wetland management, emphasizing the multi-sectoral nature of this work and the strong leadership from the national government.
During the five day-visit, the delegation travelled to Rubavu district, Western Province, to witness land registration during the “Land Week” campaign aimed to promote greater land registration and ensure good use of land resources in accordance with the district land-use plan.
They talked with some citizens who had come to get their land parcels registered. Sebanye Theoneste a resident who had just acquired a land title said: “Land registration has addressed land related conflicts in our community and we are motivated to increase its productivity”.
Next, the mission visited Coproriz Ntende the largest rice producing cooperative in Gatsibo district, Eastern Rwanda, supported by the government of Rwanda through the Rural Sector Support Project. Its current production is 5,000 tons annually. They visited the dams built on the 900 hectare field for irrigation during dry seasons and saw how the catchment areas are sustainably managed by a local team that clears water hyacinth to avoid blockages and plants trees to prevent erosion. The team members have access to various services, including health insurance and access to loans from banks.
On behalf of the delegation from Côte d'Ivoire, Mariam S. SORO, in charge of Training in the Ministry of Agriculture said: “We take home lessons related to proper maintenance of wetlands catchment areas to increase their productivity and the symbiotic and integrated approach between the government and partners to support farmers and market players”.
The visit, supported by the Africa Solidarity Trust Fund, an Africa-led fund to improve agriculture and food security across the continent, aimed to exchange knowledge, share best practices and build networks among countries.
FAO Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, during the 70th Anniversary of FAO and the 2015 South-South Awards said: “... sustainable development can leave no one behind. We know what it takes to transform the vision of a Zero Hunger world into reality. Let’s work together to become the Zero Hunger Generation.”
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