Posted on August, 3, 2018 at 09:41 am
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) on August 02, 2018 hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for Rwanda Institute for Conservative Agriculture (RICA) at the former Karama Research Station, Bugesera District, Gashora Sector, Mwendo Village.
With USD$87,6 million in funding support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF) to cover construction and the first five years of operation, and a further commitment by HGBF of USD$40 million for additional operational support, the groundbreaking ceremony formalizes the ongoing construction of the Rwanda Institute for Conservative Agriculture (RICA).
RICA is a tertiary institution that will combine research, education and extension services and graduate 84 students a year who will earn a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Agriculture over a 3-year continuous academic term. RICA is set to open its doors to its first student intake in July 2019.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at Karama site, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Gerardine Mukeshimana, commended Howard Buffet Foundation for their support in establisng this new practical agriculture institute.
The minister also hailed the various stakeholders for their commitment to support Rwanda’s agriculture sector. “It’s a great journey and an essential part of Rwanda’s Vision 2020, that together we are building an institution of higher learning, that will produce highly qualified professionals who will contribute immensely with respect to the vision and goals of our country with a specific emphasis on food security for our people,” pointed out Minister Mukeshimana.
Emphasizing practical and experiential learning, RICA is a unique and innovative institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders of Rwanda and East Africa. RICA students will learn the principles of Conservation Agriculture and One Health while emphasizing written communication, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Students will engage closely with communities near RICA to ensure research insights are informed by local needs and RICA’s innovations benefit local communities. Students at RICA will be exposed to six different enterprises including Beef Cattle and Small Ruminants, Dairy, Poultry and Swine, Row and Forage Crops, Vegetable and Tree Crops, Irrigation and Mechanization.
It is expected that all RICA graduates will be innovative problem solvers able to operate farms and ranches, start agribusinesses, assume management roles in cooperatives and other agricultural
Source: Republic of Rwanda - Ministry Of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI)