IFAD grants Rwanda US$20 million for rural development

September 17, 2008 04:30 AM

APA-Kigali (Rwanda) According IFAD on Monday, the support grant to Rwanda will be followed by a second one of US$6.32 million, intended to help poor smallholders in the Kirehe district of South-Eastern Rwanda to alleviate poverty amidst them. "Poverty reduction depends on intensification in the area since there is little prospect for agricultural expansion,\" IFAD said, adding that the programme would help the farmers overcome their food insecurity and low incomes by promoting market-orientated intensification of agricultural systems. With the support fund, land degradation will be stopped and soil fertility restored, irrigation facilities developed, dependence on erratic rains reduced and farmers will be allowed to shift to higher value crops, it said. The Rwandan grant is part of US$177.41 million in loans and US$60.235 million in grants approved by the IFAD executive board for 12 projects that will improve the lives of the rural poor in developing countries. Other countries to benefit from the financial support include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Madagascar, Mozambique and Sudan.

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