RWANDA: Better seeds boost food production

From IRIN

"Rwanda recorded a 14 percent increase in food production in the first five months of 2008, compared to the same period in 2007, exceeding consumption for the first time in four years, according an agricultural production report.

"This can be attributed to the large increase in production of mainly maize and to a lesser extent wheat for cereals and cassava for roots and tubers," said the report, prepared by the Rwanda National Institute of Statistics.

Total agricultural production hit 4 million MT compared with just over 3 MT over a similar period last year, the institute, established in 2005 under the Ministry of Finance and Planning, said in its report.

The increase was attributed to the use of high-yielding seed varieties provided by the government under the Crop Intensification Project."

Complete article at "RWANDA: Better seeds boost food production"

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Food

Rwanda in big plans to auction coffee online

Written by BOSCO HITIMANA of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA- Coffees produced within Rwanda are under a serious scrutiny to select the best coffees that meet the international coffee quality standards.

Dubbed the “Cup of Excellence”, the competition seeks to select the very best coffees produced in Rwanda that meet the international coffee quality standards.

These coffees are perfectly ripe, carefully picked with well developed body, pleasant aroma and a lively sweetness that only extremely high quality specialty coffees retain.

Each winning coffee has its own flavour signature from the earth where it grows and all have been handcrafted in such a way as to enhance these unique characteristics."

Complete article at "Rwanda in big plans to auction coffee online"

Category: Rwanda + Economy + Agriculture

Rwanda: Agriculture Regains Major Role in Economy

From Rwanda News Agency/Agence Rwandaise d'Information (Kigali)

"Agriculture has moved back as the second biggest contributor to the national economy after a worrying drop seen in the period ending 2006, new macro economic figures suggest.

The service sector continuously contributed most to the GDP at 48%, followed by the agricultural sector that is now adding some 31% to growth, according to the Quarterly Economic Review for January-May 2008 from the National Institute of Statistics."

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Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy

Rwanda in US$17.5m flower export project

Written by ALEX NGARAMBE/From EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA–– Rwanda seeks to boost flower exports by cultivating 50-200 hectares of land in flower farming under the project ‘one flower park’ estimated to cost $17.5million.
The project seeks to pull together local and foreign investors to grow quality flowers mainly for export. Currently, a feasibility study is being undertaken on the two identified sites in the country’s eastern and southern provinces.

The sites have access to water, electricity and have favourable climate for flower farming.

“Since these two sites have got all these factors, Rwanda will start exporting flowers in six months,” the chairman of Rwanda Horticulture Development Authority (RHODA), Mr. Peter Muvara said. Muvara is optimistic that the move will increase the country’s flower exports and improve on the quality of the produce."

Complete story at "Rwanda in US$17.5m flower export project"

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy

Starbucks reaches out to coffee farmers with Rwanda Blue Bourbon Coffee

Starbucks launched its latest Black Apron Exclusive (BAE), Rwanda Blue Bourbon Coffee across most of its stores in the Middle East, the 18th in the line of exceptional gourmet coffees sourced from the best coffee growing regions of the world.

The unique Black Apron Exclusives will help sustain coffee communities around the world through Starbucks awards to farmers for each BAE coffee produced. The production and sale of this high-quality unique specialty coffee will significantly help Rwanda's economy, and enable Rwandan farmers to improve their homes, afford medical care and provide educational opportunities for their children, through these Starbucks awards.

Complete story at "Starbucks reaches out to coffee farmers with Rwanda Blue Bourbon Coffee"

Category: Rwanda + Economy + Agriculture

Rwanda: Insurance to Boost Agricultural Sector

By Steve Rukundo of Focus Media (Kigali)

"During a workshop which saw the participation of representatives from ministries, insurance companies, micro-finance institutions (MFI), banks and the donor community, the content of the strategy was discussed in detail, and the strategy validated. The national rural insurance strategy is based on the findings of the field visits and discussions with the stakeholders.

The aim of this strategy is to provide insights, analytical opportunities and a framework for developing rural insurance services, particularly in the areas of micro-insurance, in stimulating the Rwandan economy. and this in a way so that it can be implemented by insurance companies, MFI, cooperatives and other organizations independently or in the form of support and partnership."

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Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Insurance + Economy

Rwanda: Government Cedes Tea Factory to British Firm

Published by Rwanda News Agency/Agence Rwandaise d'Information (Kigali)

From 55% ownership stake, British tea firm LAB International has acquired another 35% from government making it almost the sole controlling power for the Pfunda Tea Company, RNA reports.

Cabinet decided on Wednesday to cede 35% of its forty percent stake at $ 667,906 (about Rwf 350 million). As for the 10 percent, government wants it given to the factory's workers.

In 2004, LAB International bought its majority stake at $ 1,060,160 (about Rwf 5.8 billion). According to government privatization plan for the company - combining the tea factory and large plantations in Western Rwanda, the government would transfer some shares to the local investors."

Complete story at "Rwanda: Government Cedes Tea Factory to British Firm"

Category: Rwanda + Investment + Economy + Agriculture

Women Rise in Rwanda's Economic Revival

By Anthony Faiola of The Washington Post

"MARABA, Rwanda -- Sun-kissed plantations ring this village, renowned in recent years for growing the rich arabica beans brewed and served in some of the world's finest coffee houses. But the secret to success here has had far less to do with the idyllic climate and volcanic soil than with a group of people who have emerged as Maraba's -- and Rwanda's -- most potent economic force: women.

In the 14 years since the genocide, when 800,000 people died during three months of violence, this country has become perhaps the world's leading example of how empowering women can fundamentally transform post-conflict economies and fight the cycle of poverty. That is particularly clear here in Maraba, a southern village where a host of women -- largely relegated to backbreaking field work in the days before the genocide -- found unwanted opportunity in the fertile lands they would inherit from slaughtered husbands, fathers and brothers."

Complete story at "Women Rise in Rwanda's Economic Revival"

Category: Rwanda + Women + Economy + Agriculture

(OFFICIAL)-Starbucks to sell exclusive Rwanda coffee in Europe

By Marcy Nicholson of Reuters

"AVENTURA, Fla., March 7 (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp, the world's largest coffee chain, is set to sell an exclusive coffee from Rwanda on the international market for the first time, a spokesman said, as consumer demand for origin-specific flavors grows.

The bean, which carries a hint of cocoa, is called Rwanda Blue Bourbon. Grown at an altitude of 1,700 to 2,000 meters (5,000 to 6,000 feet) in Cyangugu Province, it will be sold as whole beans in Europe and Asia by early April."

Complete story at "(OFFICIAL)-Starbucks to sell exclusive Rwanda coffee in Europe"

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy + Investment

Kigali International Airport gets high-tech cold room

By Bosco Hitimana of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA – Kigali International Airport is now equipped with a brand-new cold room to refrigerate flowers, vegetables and fruits ready to be exported.

The facility that has for long been lacking, will improve on quality produce for exports in the rejuvenating horticulture sector in the country.

The building that houses the cold room was sponsored by the Dutch government to the tune of Rwf500million ($928,505) and constitutes small cold rooms to keep flowers, fruits and vegetables cold to maintain their fabulous scent and feel."

Read complete story at "Kigali International Airport gets high-tech cold room"

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy + Investment

Rwanda: Government to Invest $15m in Flower Farming

By Eddie Mukaaya of The New Times

"The Rwanda Flower Farmers' Association will receive $15m (Frw8.1b) from the government. The funds will be used to improve production and develop the flower industry.

"In the next budget, the government and other institutions will finance the acquisition of flower harvest machines," Vincent Karega, minister in charge of industry and investment promotion, said in an interview at Novotel Hotel late last week."

Read the story at "Rwanda: Government to Invest $15m in Flower Farming"

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy

Rwanda: First Snow Peas Exported to UK

By Gertrude Majyambere of The New Times (Kigali)

"On Tuesday 15, East African Growers Rwanda (EAG Rwanda) exported its first shipment of snow peas to the United Kingdom.

The snow peas were shipped to the UK where they will be bought and sold on by Tesco, a leading UK supermarket. EAG Rwanda sells the peas at approximately $5 per kilo (Frw2,700)."

Complete story at "Rwanda: First Snow Peas Exported to UK"

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy

Rwanda’s tea industry to boom

BY JOSEPH KAMUGISHA
Rwanda Tea Authority (OCIR-THE) predicts an increase in tea production this year. It forecasts that increased factory capacity and the extension of tea plantations will boost export earnings from $22.8m (Frw12.4b) in 2007 to $26.8m (Frw14.6b) in 2008.

Complete story at "Rwanda’s tea industry to boom"

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy

Cold room to boost horticulture exports

BY GERTRUDE MAJYAMBERE of The New Times

"The cold room recently constructed at Kanombe Airport, Kigali, is expected to boost Rwanda’s horticulture exports.
The refrigerated room which was completed in May 2007 can store a total of 30 metric tonnes of perishable products.

Complete story at "Cold room to boost horticulture exports"

Category: Agriculture + Economy + Industry

RADA - Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority - to improve banana yield

BY EDDIE MUKAAYA of The New Times

"Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), a government agency charged with improving agricultural production has intensified banana multiplication promising to position the country as one of the leading banana producers in the Great Lakes Region."

Complete article at "RADA - Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority - to improve banana yield"

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy

Not Your Average Cup of "Joe"

Rwandan Coffee Keeps Honors Coming to Growers.

"The Rwandan Golden Cup - the country's most esteemed prize for its best coffees - was awarded at the end of August and the winning coffees were auctioned to international buyers for record prices. With support from USAID/Rwanda, the competition was designed to improve the lives of farmers, spur economic growth, and place Rwandan coffee on the international map."

Complete story at "Not Your Average Cup of "Joe""

Category: Rwanda + agriculture + Economy

Economics in many lessons: A better brew for Rwanda

"Americans are used to hearing bad news from Africa: The fighting in Darfur, corruption in oil-producing countries and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in southern Africa are just a few examples. These problems are real and they deserve our attention.

But something else in Africa deserves our attention and that is Africa's good news. In some parts of the long-suffering continent, good things are happening and too few people, in Africa and elsewhere, know about them."

Complete story at http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/guests/s_538793.html

By Donald J. & Karol C. Boudreaux -- Donald J. Boudreaux is chairman of the Department of Economics at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. His column runs twice monthly. E-mail him at: dboudrea@gmu.edu. Karol C. Boudreaux, his wife, is senior research fellow at George Mason's Mercatus Center and lead researcher of Enterprise Africa!

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy

Competition Brews Good News for Rwanda as World-Class Specialty Coffee Producer

Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-467-6575, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Tim Schilling, schillin@rwanda1.com & Dr. Linda Cleboski, 979-845-0706, lcleboski@ag.tamu.edu

"KIGALI, RWANDA – Rwanda's reputation as a producer of top-quality specialty coffee took a quantum leap with the results of its first-ever Golden Cup national competition held Aug. 28-31, said event organizers.
"Rwanda just keeps hitting coffee ‘home runs'," said Dr. Tim Schilling, director of the Sustaining Partnerships to enhance Rural Enterprise and Agribusiness Development project, also known as SPREAD, which sponsored the competition."

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy

Starbucks to Open Regional Farmer Support Center in Rwanda

From Business Wire 2007 at http://www.pr-inside.com/, we get the breaking news that "Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) chairman Howard Schultz announced today that the company will open a regional Starbucks Farmer Support Center in Rwanda. The facility will provide an opportunity for Starbucks to collaborate with farmers in Rwanda and in the East Africa region, and demonstrates the company's continued support for their efforts to expand the availability of their high quality, specialty coffee worldwide."

Complete story at http://www.pr-inside.com/starbucks-to-open-regional-farmer-support-r326819.htm

Category: Rwanda + Agriculture + Economy