Around 75% of the Rwandan population work in the agricultural sector, of which well over half are women. Rwanda faces major challenges in achieving the overarching objectives of improving food security, modernising the sector and adapting to climate change. To address this situation, Rwanda implemented the general guideline for the modernisation of agriculture in Rwanda, the Agricultural Development Strategy (PSTA4), between 2018 and 2024 in order to increase the economic, ecological and social resilience of agriculture. This is done, for example, by taking into account the requirements and strengthening the digital skills of women in the agricultural labour process.
The project builds on a predecessor programme that supported the Rwandan Meteorological Service (Meteo Rwanda) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) in building capacity and knowledge for the development of agrometeorological services for agriculture.
The aim of the current project is to enable (small) farmers in Rwanda to operate more ecologically sustainable and adapted to climate change through improved information systems for agriculture. To this end, the development of a digital information system for Rwandan government institutions is to be driven forward. The system will provide concrete recommendations for action to increase crop yields and reduce the use of fungicides. To this end, a data structure and database will first be developed in two phases and a digital application customised to the needs of the users will be developed. The system will then be implemented in two pilot regions and farmers will be trained in its use. Finally, the project will be evaluated and a nationwide import of the system will be examined.