Comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts: The case of Rwanda

Rwanda has made significant strides in improving its food systems, with notable progress in reducing malnutrition and stunting, especially among children. Stunting rates declined from over 50% in the early 2000s to 33% by 2020, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and...

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Main Authors: Ulimwengu, John M., Warner, James, Mutyasira, Vine, Keizire, Boaz
Format: Brief
Language:Inglés
Published: Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169384
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author Ulimwengu, John M.
Warner, James
Mutyasira, Vine
Keizire, Boaz
author_browse Keizire, Boaz
Mutyasira, Vine
Ulimwengu, John M.
Warner, James
author_facet Ulimwengu, John M.
Warner, James
Mutyasira, Vine
Keizire, Boaz
author_sort Ulimwengu, John M.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Rwanda has made significant strides in improving its food systems, with notable progress in reducing malnutrition and stunting, especially among children. Stunting rates declined from over 50% in the early 2000s to 33% by 2020, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and enhancing nutrition through a range of agricultural and public health initiatives. The country’s Crop Intensification Program (CIP) has played a pivotal role in increasing agricultural productivity, especially for staple crops like maize, beans, and Irish potatoes, which has contributed to better food availability across the country. Despite these achievements, substantial challenges persist. Almost 19% of households still face food insecurity, with the highest prevalence in rural areas. Additionally, malnutrition continues to affect vulnerable populations, with anemia rates among women of reproductive age at 37%, signaling gaps in nutrition security. Environmental concerns, including soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate change, further complicate efforts to sustain agricultural productivity. Approximately 40% of Rwanda’s land is affected by soil erosion, and shifting climate patterns pose increasing risks to agricultural yields. These challenges indicate the need for a more strategic, research-based approach to understanding and transforming Rwanda’s food system.
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spelling CGSpace1693842025-11-06T04:41:10Z Comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts: The case of Rwanda Ulimwengu, John M. Warner, James Mutyasira, Vine Keizire, Boaz food systems malnutrition stunting food security agriculture public health intensification agricultural productivity sustainability Rwanda has made significant strides in improving its food systems, with notable progress in reducing malnutrition and stunting, especially among children. Stunting rates declined from over 50% in the early 2000s to 33% by 2020, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and enhancing nutrition through a range of agricultural and public health initiatives. The country’s Crop Intensification Program (CIP) has played a pivotal role in increasing agricultural productivity, especially for staple crops like maize, beans, and Irish potatoes, which has contributed to better food availability across the country. Despite these achievements, substantial challenges persist. Almost 19% of households still face food insecurity, with the highest prevalence in rural areas. Additionally, malnutrition continues to affect vulnerable populations, with anemia rates among women of reproductive age at 37%, signaling gaps in nutrition security. Environmental concerns, including soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate change, further complicate efforts to sustain agricultural productivity. Approximately 40% of Rwanda’s land is affected by soil erosion, and shifting climate patterns pose increasing risks to agricultural yields. These challenges indicate the need for a more strategic, research-based approach to understanding and transforming Rwanda’s food system. 2025-01-17 2025-01-17T22:00:06Z 2025-01-17T22:00:06Z Brief https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169384 en Open Access application/pdf Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa International Food Policy Research Institute International Development Research Centre Ulimwengu, John; Warner, James; Mutyasira, Vine; and Keizire, Boaz. 2025. Comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts: The case of Rwanda. AGRA-IFPRI Policy Brief 4. Nairobi: AGRA, IFPRI, and IDRC. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169384
spellingShingle food systems
malnutrition
stunting
food security
agriculture
public health
intensification
agricultural productivity
sustainability
Ulimwengu, John M.
Warner, James
Mutyasira, Vine
Keizire, Boaz
Comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts: The case of Rwanda
title Comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts: The case of Rwanda
title_full Comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts: The case of Rwanda
title_fullStr Comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts: The case of Rwanda
title_full_unstemmed Comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts: The case of Rwanda
title_short Comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts: The case of Rwanda
title_sort comprehensive mapping of food systems is necessary to guide transformation efforts the case of rwanda
topic food systems
malnutrition
stunting
food security
agriculture
public health
intensification
agricultural productivity
sustainability
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169384
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