1. Presentation by Alexis Floris Nkurunziza
Rwanda Civil Society Agriculture Forum (RCAF)
Presentation by Alexis Floris Nkurunziza

2. Presentation Outline Introduction Rationale of RCAF
Goals &Objectives of RCAF
RCAF strategies
Expected Outcomes
Members of the RCAF
Conclusion

3. Introduction
Food security and agricultural development has become a significant topic in Africa. Over the past five years, food security and economic crisis have highlighted both the urgent need and the potential for developing sustainable agricultural systems. Over one billion (out of a global population of 7 billion people) people lack access to adequate food and nutrition. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF); by 2050, the global population will surpass 9 billion people and the demand for agricultural products is expected to double. This challenge is further compounded by the fact that the world’s agricultural systems will be increasingly challenged by water scarcity, climate change and volatility and increasing occurrence of natural disasters; raising the risk of low production and productivity. Chronic food shortage in several African countries has made them dependent on external food supplies and aid.

4. Cont
To overcome this challenge the African heads of state introduced a comprehensive Africa Agriculture development program (CAADP) under the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) in in a summit in Maputo Mozambique
To implement the NEPAD & CAADP frameworks ,The Government of Rwanda adopted the strategic plan for transformation of agriculture in Rwanda ( PSTA III) to transform this sector towards ensuring food security for the Rwandan population and produce crops for sale on the local, regional and international markets.

5. Cont
in a bid to achieve the above objective , all actors in Agriculture should have a clear and common understanding and joint planning and implementation of the programs in the sector through harnessing opportunities for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The NEPAD and CAADP frameworks call upon all AU member states to involve non- state actors (NSA) in the whole process of CAADP implementation . In Rwanda, NSA who at the same time are state partners in development , have not been fully associated in agriculture policy development and implementation . It is upon this background that a forum on Agriculture of non- state actors was formed on 12th March in Kigali to engage the government of Rwanda in agriculture policy formulation , implementation , monitoring and evaluation.

6. Rationale of RCAF
Rwanda civil society Agriculture forum, is a consortium of Non State Actors (NSA) working on Agriculture and other related sectors which was formed on 12th March 2015, RCAF intends to coordinate NSA efforts on agriculture in Rwanda and advocate for increased investment in agriculture to benefit small holder farmers especially women and youth.

7. Goals &Objectives of RCAF
OVERALL GOAL OF RCAF
The RCAF goal is to contribute in addressing citizen concerns in agriculture sector to alleviate poverty in Rwanda.
Specific Objectives:
Effective participation and involvement of NSA in the formulation of agriculture policies and the Agriculture budget making processes.
To coordinate NSA efforts in agriculture sector in Rwanda .
To advocate for changes in some of the existing agriculture policies in Rwanda.
Sensitize and educate community and farmers on agriculture policies and agriculture budgeting.
promote public debates and dialogues on issues affecting small holder farmers especially women and youth in Rwanda .

8. STRATEGIES In order to achieve the forum objectives ,RCAF will :
Conduct evidence based research to inform and influence agriculture policy changes in Rwanda.
Using information , education ,communication material to educate community and farmers on Agriculture , policies and agriculture budgeting process.
Provide regular updates to community and farmers through possible and relevant communication channels on agriculture related issues.
Promote the pluralism of ideas and dialogues between different stakeholders on agriculture.
Mobilizing Human and financial resources for enabling RCAF to accomplish its mandate.
Mobilize and sensitize new members to join the forum .

9. Expected Outcomes
Smallholder farmer especially women and youth concerns are effectively considered in the formulation of agriculture policies and national budget.
National agriculture budget formulation process is open and transparent to every citizen.

10. Members of the RCAF
Members of RCAF are Civil society organizations working in agriculture sector , farmers organizations, especially smallholder women and youth organizations / groups and interested /likeminded organizations.
The membership of the forum is not limited to only founder members but open to other groups that are in agriculture sector.

11. Conclusion RCAF framework is not coming to duplicate as some of
you might think, it is actually a framework that is coming to complement and coordinate existing efforts and engagements of the NSA in advocacy for agriculture concerns and providing space for NSA to engage effectively the government in terms of agriculture prioritization and spending to benefit small holder farmers (women & youth)
The success of our engagement in Agri issues depends on each and every member efforts to build strongly this forum.

12. LONG LIFE TO OUR NETWORK
THANK YOU / OBLIGADO