Factsheet : Horticulture sector in Rwanda

Rwanda has made remarkable progress since 2000. GDP growth has averaged 8% per year, the poverty rate has fallen from 59% to 40% and 80% of all households are food secure. Agriculture and services make up the majority of GDP at 33% and 47% respectively, with 72% of the population employed in subsistence farming. Agriculture therefore remains at the center of strategies to reduce poverty and improve food security and nutrition. Rwanda remains challenged by malnutrition, with a stunting rate of 37.9%. Rwanda’s population is growing and the demand for more food, better nutrition and employment and enhanced resilience is increasing. Considering the abundant labor capacity in agriculture, the Government of Rwanda will continue to promote horticulture production, a labor intensive highvalue sector.