Kigali, September 20, 2024--- Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente attended the second graduation ceremony of the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) at the Kigali Convention Center, where 81 graduates received Bachelor’s degrees in four specializations, namely: Crop Production Systems, Animal Production Systems, Mechanization & Irrigation and Food Processing.

In his speech, the Prime Minister congratulated the graduates, commending their hard work, determination, and resilience. He also thanked Howard Buffett, the founder and Chancellor of RICA, for his partnership with the Government of Rwanda.

PM Ngirente emphasized the key role of conservation agriculture in achieving sustainable development and reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to investing in modern agricultural practices to improve efficiency and sustainability in food production.

He acknowledged RICA’s significant contribution to addressing the knowledge and skills gap among farmers and improving farming techniques, which are vital for food security. The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for conservation agriculture and innovation.

He concluded by encouraging the graduates to be innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial, and to support smallholder farmers in boosting agricultural production while ensuring sustainable land management practices.

Click here to read the full speech of the Prime Minister