SEED FUNDING JOINT PROGRAMMES

Rwanda

Resilient Food Systems: Enhanced Value Chain and Post Harvest Management

SDG 1 No Poverty SDG 2 Zero Hunger SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth SDG 13 Climate Action

PROJECT TITLE	Resilient Food Systems: Enhanced Value Chain and Post Harvest Management
Context	Food systems transformation is embedded in several national policies in Rwanda, including the National Transformation Strategy, the Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation, the National Environment and Climate Change Policy. In 2021, Rwanda developed its National Pathway, which highlights four priority areas for the country towards 2030: ensuring food security and nutrition for all, while increasing demand for healthy diets; enhancing the environmental sustainability of food systems; improving livelihoods for farmers and all workers in food systems while building resilience to shocks; promoting inclusion of women and youth in food systems, including through enhanced financial opportunities.
PUNOs	FAO, WFP, IFAD
Contribution to SDGs	SDG 1 No Poverty; SDG 2 Zero Hunger; SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 13 Climate Action
Contribution to other SDG transitions	Decent Jobs and Universal Social Protection; Energy Access and Affordability
Duration	July 2024 – June 2025
Expected financial leverage	$ 3,070,000
Alignment with SG Call to Action	Policy integration; Food systems governance; Research, data, technology and innovation; Inclusive and participatory design; Private sector engagement
Outcomes	The JP leverages on improved post-harvest management as a strategic approach to simultaneously reduce food loss, improve incomes, and boost food availability. The JP promotes the economic integration of youth-led MSMEs and builds linkages with partners and initiatives focused on nutrition and food security to connect the dots between food production, processing and consumption.
Partners	MINAGRI, RAB, RRDB, Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Infrastructure Enable – Belgium Development Agency AGRA Hinga Wunguke USAID
Outputs	Assess suitable post-harvest handling management technologies (e.g. grain mobile dryer machine) Equip youth-led MSMEs with post-harvest technologies and assist them in developing a rental business model, promoting public private partnerships Identify successful business models for potential scale-up Train and raise awareness among youth and farmers on nutritious and safe food, improved grain post-harvest handling and storage, irrigation, marketing, and financial management skills.

Post-harvest management Youth employment Inclusivity

UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and Government of Germany Collaborate to Build the Next Generation of Food Systems Leaders

Funding agreement signed to empower emerging leaders in developing countries to help transform food systems for a sustainable future.

Pictured: Mr Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ, Germany and Mr Laurent Thomas, Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) during the signing ceremony of a new funding agreement for a UN Food Systems Coordination Hub initiative

©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

27/06/2023

Rome, 27 June 2023 –The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub has signed a funding agreement with the Government of Germany in support of a new project, titled "Building the Next Generation of Food Systems Leadership in Developing Countries."

This pioneering initiative, scheduled to run until 2025, marks a new milestone within the work of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, enabling a scale-up of actions to empower emerging leaders in developing countries with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the ever-increasing complex challenges of transforming food systems and advancing sustainable solutions.

The signing ceremony, attended by Mr Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ, Germany, Mr Laurent Thomas, Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and Ms Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, Deputy Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, took place on 26 June 2023, at the FAO headquarters in Rome.

Speaking at the event, FAO Deputy Director-General Thomas said: “This project represents the shared vision of the Hub and Germany to empower the next generation of leaders who will drive the transformative change needed to build more efficient, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agrifood systems.”

“By investing in the development of young leaders from developing countries, we are strengthening their capacity to address the multifaceted challenges facing agrifood systems around the world and allowing them to thrive. We are investing in our future,” he added.

State Secretary Flasbarth emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating: "Germany is proud to support partner countries in building resilient and sustainable food systems via the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. By investing in young leaders in developing countries we can unlock the potential for positive change and improve the livelihoods of millions."