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One of the harsh realities that confront the population of my beloved country is food insecurity. Rwanda was listed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as one of the low-income countries suffering from a food deficit in 2023. This should serve as an urgent call to action for our country to address the persistent and deepening issue of hunger and malnutrition.

The 2024 report on the state of food security and nutrition in the world presents sobering statistics. For instance, the number of undernourished people in Rwanda has increased from 3.3 million in 2004–2006 to 4.3 million in 2021–2023. Although the prevalence of undernourishment in the total population has decreased from 36.9 per cent in 2004–2006 to 31.4 per cent in 2021–2023, it remains above that of eastern Africa (29 per cent), sub-Saharan Africa (22.7 per cent) and Africa overall (19.9 per cent). It is also above that of low-income countries (29.7 per cent) and least developed countries (22.1 per cent). 

The number of people unable to afford a healthy diet in Rwanda has also increased from 9.8 million in 2017 to 10.4 million in 2022. The proportion of the population unable to afford a healthy diet in percentage terms in Rwanda is 75.7 per cent. This is higher than in eastern Africa (73.7 per cent), sub-Saharan Africa (72.2 per cent), Africa overall (64.8 per cent), and in low-income countries (71.5 per cent). The cost of a healthy diet in Rwanda has also increased from 3.09 purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars per person per day in 2017 to 3.80 PPP dollars per person per day in 2022. This cost also remains higher in Rwanda in comparison to the cost of a healthy diet in sub-Saharan Africa (3.73 PPP dollars) and low-income countries (3.48 PPP dollars). Also, according to the 2022 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA) report, only 41.3 per cent of households in Rwanda were categorised as substantially food secure.

This situation is not merely a consequence of poverty or natural factors; it is also the result of policy choices that need urgent reevaluation. If Rwanda is to meet its national and international development goals, the government must take stronger, more decisive action to ensure food and nutrition security for all. It is no longer enough to acknowledge the problem; we must actively work towards a solution with determination and vision.

First and foremost, the government must confront the issue of food waste that is estimated by the World Bank at 40 per cent of total food production each year in Rwanda only. Despite some progress, food waste remains unacceptably high in Rwanda. The food waste index report shows that while household food waste decreased from 164 to 141 kilograms per person per year between 2021 and 2024, this is still far above what is sustainable. To put it into context, every kilogram of food wasted represents a missed opportunity to feed someone in need. Reducing food waste at every stage of the supply chain – from farms to markets to households – must be a national priority. The government can implement stricter regulations, incentivise responsible consumption, and raise public awareness to shift cultural attitudes around food waste.

Equally important is the need to reform how farmers in Rwanda bring their produce to market. Currently, many farmers are forced to go through middlemen who are licensed by the government to sell their products. This system not only inflates food prices across the country, making it harder for the average Rwandan to afford healthy food, but also contributes to inefficiencies and waste. Farmers have voiced their dissatisfaction with this model, which undermines their ability to profit from their hard work. Instead of relying on middlemen, farmers should be empowered to sell their produce directly to consumers and markets, ensuring they retain a greater share of the profits. By doing so, we can reduce food prices, minimise waste, and provide greater economic security for the rural communities that are the backbone of Rwanda’s agricultural sector.

Infrastructure development, particularly the construction of rural roads, is another critical area that demands immediate attention. The World Bank has identified poor road quality as a significant bottleneck in Rwanda’s trade and agriculture sectors. Without adequate infrastructure to connect farmers with markets, food is left to spoil in rural areas, driving up prices and contributing to waste. To combat this, the government must increase its investment in rural road networks and transportation systems. Roads are not just a means of getting from one place to another; they are lifelines that connect farmers with buyers and consumers, and they play a vital role in reducing the cost of food – and ensuring food security for all.

While increasing public expenditure in agriculture and related sectors is essential, it is not enough on its own. Such investments must be paired with stronger accountability and oversight in the institutions tasked with managing these resources. Every year, the Office of the Auditor General of Rwanda uncovers troubling inefficiencies in government spending. In the most recent audit report for the year ending June 2023, the Auditor General found that 18 billion Rwandan francs (US$14 million) had been mismanaged between 2020 and 2023. These financial inefficiencies are not just abstract figures – they represent lost opportunities to improve food security, strengthen rural infrastructure, support the agricultural sector and achieve its development goals, such as reducing chronic malnutrition (stunting) among children under five.

According to 7 Years Government Programme: National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) 2017–2024, the Rwandan government had planned to reduce the prevalence of chronic malnutrition (stunting) among children under 5 from 38 per cent in 2017 to 19 per cent by 2024. Despite efforts to reduce the stunting rate, the latest data from NST2 shows that only a modest reduction to 33 per cent has been achieved, far short of the 19 per cent target. 

Strengthening the mechanisms of accountability within Rwanda’s government institutions is vital. To achieve this, Rwanda must embrace its consensual democracy in a more genuine way, opening up political space for dissenting voices and diverse perspectives. By doing so, we can enhance the checks and balances that are essential to ensuring that government institutions are fulfilling their mandates effectively. Allowing for broader political engagement and dialogue will create a more robust system of governance, one that is better equipped to meet the challenges of food security and other critical national issues.

With decisive action, clear leadership, and a commitment to accountability, our government can turn the tide and ensure that no Rwandan goes hungry. However, it must act now – by reducing food waste, empowering farmers, improving infrastructure, and strengthening institutional oversight. But most importantly, we must create a political environment where all voices are heard, and all perspectives are considered. Only by embracing inclusivity and transparency can we build a future where every Rwandan has access to the food and nutrition they need to thrive.