IUCN convened a National Dialogue on Sustainable Agriculture in Rwanda

Rubavu, Rwanda – June 2025 – The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and APEFA, convened a national dialogue in Rubavu District of Western Province of Rwanda to accelerate sustainable food and agriculture food systems in Rwanda. The dialogue featured discussions on a five-year program, "Five Fruit Per Household and Youth-Based Model Orchards," which is currently under development.

The program represents a holistic approach that focuses on capacity building, infrastructure development (seedling nurseries), and market linkage facilitation to ensure the successful adoption of fruit tree cultivation and fruit consumption at the household level. By increasing the availability and accessibility of nutrient-rich fruits, the program aims to enhance dietary diversity, improve nutritional outcomes, contribute to economic development, particularly among smallholder farmers, women, and youth, while supporting efforts to protect the environment and conserve biodiversity.

IUCN

IUCN is committed to supporting the initiative to contribute to productive landscapes within the Nature 2030 Vision through accelerating the global transition to sustainable agriculture. The dialogue, which was financially supported by the IKEA Foundation and the Agence Française de Developpement, brought together agriculture and conservation actors to discuss the program development. It is expected that Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and agroecological approaches will be employed to restore and conserve ecosystems and biodiversity while improving the food security, nutrition, and incomes of smallholder farmers.

Attendees included Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), One Acre Fund, the District officials, civil society, and private sector, as well as farmer representatives.

IUCN

In her welcome address, Ms. Kaori Yasuda, IUCN Country Representative in Rwanda, set the tone by reaffirming IUCN’s mission in  Rwanda, to support the government and communities in restoring lands, farms, biodiversity, and building resilient ecosystems that sustain essential services for people and nature.

She noted that under the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between IUCN and MINAGRI, the two institutions are formally collaborating on sustainable agriculture initiatives. IUCN invests in sustainable land management, agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, and climate-smart farming initiatives in  Rwanda to enhance livelihoods while reversing environmental degradation. These interventions are part of broader efforts to promote Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and biodiversity conservation, particularly in agriculture, where environmental restoration is combined with food production and economic benefits.

This year’s dialogue focused primarily on the “Five Fruits per Household” program, an initiative of MINAGRI and supported by partners that include IUCN, FAO, GAIN, and AGRA, to address malnutrition, soil fertility decline, poverty, and biodiversity loss.

IUCN

“Yesterday, we visited pilot sites and witnessed firsthand how communities and young people are already realizing the benefits of agroforestry, learning how to maintain fruit trees with support from APEFA, one of IUCN’s valued members,” Ms. Yasuda shared.

During the day’s field visits, the team toured several pilot orchards established under the Five Fruit Trees per Household program in Rubavu. Launched on 24 October 2024 by Minister Dr. Mark Cyubahiro, the initiative has supported the planting of fruit trees, including avocado, mango, papaya, and orange, across Rubavu District to improve household nutrition and generate income. 

Local farmers expressed optimism about the program's potential long-term benefits. Vestine Mukamwiza, a smallholder farmer in Rubavu, shared: “I’ve planted avocado trees through this initiative. They are still young, but I believe they will one day provide my family with healthy fruits and help me earn extra income at the market.”

Jean de Dieu Nkurunziza, a farmer participating in the Model Orchards initiative, said: “This program opened my eyes to the potential of fruit tree farming. We were trained to care for the fruits and grow vegetables alongside them. Once the fruits mature, I hope they will boost our nutrition and household income.”

The dialogue in Rubavu is not a stand-alone event but part of a regional movement. For the past three years, IUCN, in collaboration with different Government Ministries as well as Key stakeholders from Eastern and Southern Africa region (ESARO), convened High-Level Common Ground Dialogues on Sustainable Agriculture across the region, including national-level events in Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda. Funded by the IKEA Foundation, these dialogues aimed to scale up agroecological practices, agrobiodiversity, promote inclusive food systems, and mainstream Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across Africa’s agricultural landscapes.

IUCN

MINAGRI’s Chief Technical Advisor, Dr. Rutikanga Alexandre, reinforced the urgency of transitioning toward sustainability in food systems. In his keynote address, he said: “To build a food-secure and climate-resilient future, we must place sustainable agriculture at the heart of our national priorities. Yesterday’s visit to the Five Fruit Trees per Household pilot sites showed us what is possible when communities are empowered with knowledge and support to farm in harmony with nature. These orchards will improve nutrition and income at the household level and help restore our landscapes. Let us build on this experience to scale up such models nationwide and embed sustainability into every level of agricultural planning.”

The event also allowed partner organizations to reflect on strategic direction. Mr. Oscar Nzabonimpa, Executive Director of APEFA, emphasized the importance of  youth engagement: “At APEFA, we believe in empowering farmers and youth to take leadership in land stewardship. Today, we see a promising example of how locally led actions can scale into national impact.”

Dr. Jules Rutebuka, IUCN’s Regional Programme Officer in charge of Sustainable Agriculture, emphasized that effective solutions must begin with farmers’ needs. “They need access to organic fertilizers, diversified cropping systems, and technical knowledge to adapt to climate change,” he said. “Our role is to support them with tools and partnerships that make sustainable farming viable, while preserving ecosystems and ensuring resilient food systems.”

Representatives from Rubavu District reaffirmed the commitment of the local government to sustainable environmental management by stating that agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and climate-smart farming are already helping the district to build resilience and improve productivity.

The National Dialogue ended with a powerful sense of collective purpose and momentum. By integrating community-driven initiatives, scientific insights, and political will. Rwanda is developing an agricultural model grounded in Nature-based Solutions that could serve as an inspiration for the continent. The transition from Rubavu to Abu Dhabi ahead of the IUCN World Conservation Congress starts with a united voice.

IUCN