The role of the use of improved agricultural practices in ensuring food security in Rwanda

2.2.4 Food security

The Rome Declaration on World Food Security and the World Food Summit Plan of Action, convened by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, resolved that «food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their provisions needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life Broadly, the concept of food security is built on three pillars:

1. Food availability

Sufficient quantities of food are available to people on a regular basis; Food availability to the people can be through own production, purchases, Food Aid or gifts

2. Food accessibility

People have sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet;

Unfortunately, attainment of self sufficiency does not automatically imply that household food security is achieved. Empirical evidence shows that solving the food security issue from production (Supply side) point of view, while overlooking the purchasing power (demand side) of the people, does not solve the food security problem, with regard to accessibility of sufficient food by vulnerable groups (KIPPRA, 2007)

3. Food utilization/Nutrition

People have sufficient knowledge of nutrition and care practices and access to adequate water and sanitation to derive sustenance food. There is a direct and cyclical relationship between poverty and food insecurity, whereby poverty contributes to food insecurity, which contributes to poor nutrition, health, and cognitive development, which in turn contribute to poverty

2.2.4.1. Nutritional security & income have improved

Through livestock ownership and productivity initiatives led by the government of Rwanda currently revealed that Nutritional security & income have improved through the following points:

2.2.4.2 One cow per poor family

The One Cow per Poor Family initiative was introduced by President Paul KAGAME, to increase income of the poor. The goal of this program was in twofold:

1. Reducing poverty

2. Increasing productivity of land

As of 15 April 2008, the program has distributed more than 16,700 cows since 2006. This program contributed to the increase in agricultural production that leads to better farm income and improved food security and human health

2.2.4.3 Small Ruminants

o Goats, Sheep, Piggery

o Poultry Extensive vaccination campaign

o Control of major disease

2.2.4.4 School feeding and kitchen gardens in the most vulnerable

o One cup of milk

o Cows at schools and school gardens

o Kitchen Gardens

2.2.5 Improved Seeds

The use of improved seeds was not previously measured; however, nearly 19 percent of households use them now to augment increases in productivity of these crops, CIP imported improved seeds from neighboring countries such as Kenya and Tanzania. In 2008, 765 tons of seeds of maize and wheat were imported for cultivation in season A. The amount gradually increased from 1200 t in 2009 A to 3512 t in 2011 A.

In addition, improved planting materials (cuttings) of cassava and potato were also distributed to farmers. Under CIP, the use of improved seeds by farmers has risen from 3% to 40%. By encouraging farmers to use improved seeds, CIP has substantially increased the local demand and the capacity for seed production. With the exception of hybrid seeds, the open pollinated varieties of maize and self pollinated varieties of wheat, rice and beans are multiplied by public (RAB) and entrepreneurial farmers in the country^11(*)

* ¹¹ (MINAGRI, National Agricultural Survey, 2008)