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 Second Committee spotlights UN Food Systems Summit process in newly adopted resolutions

At its seventy-eighth session, the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) of the General Assembly adopted multiple resolutions where Member States reaffirm the importance of the UN Food Systems Summit process and look forward to the upcoming UNFSS+4 Stocktaking in 2025.

22/11/2023

Over the past months, Member States gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to negotiate resolutions under the UN Second Committee. During 2C deliberations, a number of resolutions were adopted to support the advancement of sustainable development.

Many of the resolutions underscore Member States’ recognition of the importance of building more inclusive, equitable, efficient, resilient and sustainable food systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) process as a key mechanism steering this work.

UN Food Systems Summits as catalysts for Agenda 2030

The newly adopted resolution on agriculture development, food security and nutrition ( A/C.2/78/L.65) calls for a comprehensive and coordinated approach involving national governments, civil society, academia, the private sector, and the international community to bring SDG 2 – Zero Hunger – back on track. Highlighting the biannual UNFSS Stocktaking as a crucial platform for this collective action, the resolution advocates for the implementation of the voluntary commitments that arose from the 2021 Summit, leveraging the support of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. Member States look forward to the UNFSS+4 in 2025 for a thorough review of progress made on these commitments.

The UNFSS process also garnered recognition within the resolution on agricultural technology for sustainable development ( A/C.2/78/L.24/Rev.1) as a significant forum facilitating food systems transformation through the advancement of agricultural technologies, innovations, and digitalization. The resolution on implementation of the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018–2027) ( A/C.2/78/L.60) highlights how the UNFSS promotes policymaking that supports an inclusive, sustainable and resilient recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resolution on natural plant fibres and sustainable development ( A/C.2/78/L.32/Rev.1) expresses appreciation for the UNFSS+2 within the context of advocating for more sustainable production, consumption, and utilization of natural plant fibers.

Implementing resolutions for transformative change

Aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action, the Hub remains dedicated to working with countries and the wider Ecosystem of Support to facilitate the realization of these resolutions through the implementation of national visions and pathways for food systems transformation.