RUSAGARA MUVUNANKIKO Valens
Rwanda joined the rest of the world on Friday, October 30, 2026, to celebrate World Food Day, with a focus on agricultural innovation, increased food production and improved nutrition.
This year’s national celebrations were held in Gatsibo District, Eastern Province, under the theme: “Innovate Today, Prepare for Tomorrow.”
The celebrations highlighted the importance of sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and access to nutritious food, with several community activities organised ahead of the main event.
These included community work (Umuganda) at Rwabagenzi wetland, fruit tree planting at a school in Kiziguro Sector, and the planting of Juncao grass, a high-yielding forage crop used for livestock feeding, in Nyagasenyi Village, Ndatemwa Cell, Kiziguro Sector.
The main celebration was attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Telesphore Ndabamenye, who served as the guest of honour.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ndabamenye said Rwanda was strengthening efforts to address malnutrition through improved household nutrition, livestock development and climate-resilient animal feed production.
He highlighted the importance of encouraging families to provide children with balanced diets while supporting vulnerable households through the Girinka programme, which provides cows to help families improve their livelihoods.
“We have set ourselves the target of eliminating malnutrition. We are focusing on encouraging citizens to provide children with balanced diets as a way of fighting malnutrition. We have also decided to strengthen the Girinka programme, through which some citizens have received cows to help them overcome poverty and address malnutrition,” he said.
The Minister also emphasised the government’s commitment to promoting livestock feed production, planting fruit trees and protecting wetlands and agricultural land to ensure sustainable food production and improved livestock productivity.
He explained that fruit trees were being planted in schools to encourage children to understand the importance of agriculture, livestock farming and healthy nutrition from an early age.
“As part of our efforts to fight malnutrition, we have planted fruit trees to increase the availability of edible fruits, particularly in schools. As children learn and grow, they will develop a better understanding of agriculture and livestock farming, while the fight against malnutrition will begin with the younger generation,” he said.
One of the major highlights of the celebrations was the distribution of cows to 25 vulnerable households in Gatsibo District, with each family receiving one cow.
The beneficiaries welcomed the support, describing it as an opportunity to improve their livelihoods, access nutritious food and increase agricultural productivity through organic manure.
Josiane Mukanshuti, a resident of Nyagasiza Village, Bugarama Cell, Rugarama Sector, said receiving a cow was particularly meaningful because she previously struggled to afford one despite needing manure to improve her farming.
“This day means a lot to me, and I am extremely happy to have received a cow. I was poor and used to cultivate crops without fertiliser, and I could not afford to buy a cow. Now I will be able to drink milk. I thank the President for thinking about us. May God continue to give him strength to lead us,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Uwizeye Claudine, from Matunguru Cell in Rugarama Sector, pledged to take good care of her cow so that it could benefit her household and neighbouring families.
“I thank the country for thinking about me and giving me a cow. I will take good care of it so that it can bring significant benefits, including manure and milk. I will also share milk with my neighbours. I am now among the livestock owners, and I will not disappoint the President who gave us this opportunity. We will continue supporting him by implementing the good things he wishes for us,” she said.
Alongside the distribution of cows, officials participated in serving milk and balanced meals to children, demonstrating the importance of providing diverse and nutritious foods as part of everyday feeding.
The activities highlighted the connection between agricultural support and household nutrition: helping families acquire productive assets such as cows while encouraging parents and communities to provide children with nutritious meals.
Through milk production, access to animal manure and improved household food availability, livestock farming can contribute to both better livelihoods and improved nutrition.
According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) 2024 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA), 83 per cent of households in Rwanda were food secure in 2024.
The report further indicated that 16 per cent of households experienced moderate food insecurity, while one per cent faced severe food insecurity.
The World Food Day celebrations in Gatsibo therefore served as an opportunity to highlight the role of agricultural innovation, livestock development, environmental protection and improved nutrition in building a more food-secure Rwanda.
By combining support for vulnerable households with investments in sustainable agriculture and children’s nutrition, Rwanda continues to promote approaches aimed at improving food security today while preparing for future generations.
Muhire Obed
