Briefing Paper

Policy and Institutional Landscape of Ecological Organic Agriculture in Rwanda

This policy brief focused on the policy and institutional landscape that can support the successful implementation of the EOA Initiative in Rwanda. It provides insights into the policy and institutional structures that support EOA in Rwanda. In line with the ongoing environmental and health-related concerns, EOA can be the solution to the incumbent national and regional development needs. The study findings revealed that Rwanda does not have explicit policies that support EOA but has sectoral policies that support aspects of EOA in principle and practice. Although these policies and strategies are not meant purposely for EOA, a remarkable achievement is noticeable in the adoption of eco-friendly agriculture which is gaining popularity in the country. This can be noted from the increasing demand for organically produced agricultural products and the development of markets at the local and international levels. Notwithstanding, the implementation pace of these ecological organic aspects of the policies and strategies is still wanting due to poor institutionalization and low awareness levels on the benefits of EOA. Some institutional structures have however provided a basis for the implementation of the policies to which the EOA principles can be anchored and escalated. The country is also at the forefront in implementing various regional and continental policies as well as various international conventions that support EOA. However, there is need to initiate conversations that will lead to amendments of existing policies to fully embrace EOA. Institutional structures should be explicitly supported in policies and laws with clearly stated roles and responsibilities in the implementation of EOA. A renewed focus on enhancing the indigenous technologies and inventing new ones is also required in order to increase its productivity and match or even outdo its conventional counterpart. Overall, there is need for the collaboration of all actors including government, researchers, private sector entities, the civil society actors and the media in promoting EOA through supports for new policies and institutional reforms to ensure its sustainability in Rwanda.