Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture in Rwanda – Phase II (PSTA II).

The Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture in Rwanda – Phase II (PSTA II) is a national plan of the Republic of Rwanda for the period 2009-2012. Its main objective is to increase agricultural output and incomes under sustainable production systems and for all groups of farmers, as well as to ensure food security for all the population.
PSTA II is divided into four Programmes. Programme 1 is aimed at releasing the physical constraints to the sector’s development, in the areas of erosion control, water capture and management structures, input use and food security. It also incorporates the training activities that need to accompany the provision of physical infrastructure and inputs. Under this Programme, specific sub-programmes include sustainable management of natural resources, water and soil conservation; integrated development and intensification of crops and livestock; marshland development; irrigation development; supply and use of agricultural inputs; fertiliser and agrochemical supply and use; certified seeds and other inputs; and food security, vulnerability management.
Programme 2 is aimed directly at making the sector more knowledge‐intensive through professionalization and capacity building for producer organisations and through improvements in the systems for technology generation and dissemination. Specific sub-programmes include promotion of farmers’ organisations and capacity building for producers; restructuring of proximity services for producers and research for transforming agriculture.
Programme 3 is designed to enhance producer knowledge in areas of quality control, postharvest management and marketing, and to provide the associated technical expertise and infrastructure, including in agro‐processing. It also aims to promote agribusiness development. More specific sub-programmes include creating an environment conducive to business and entrepreneurship development and market access; development of traditional exports; development of non‐traditional high‐value export products; production and value addition for domestic staple products; market‐oriented rural infrastructure and strengthening rural financial systems.
Programme 4 is directed at strengthening the public sector’s capacity to support the sector’s development and improving the policies that guide actions by producers and entrepreneurs. More specific sub-programmes include institutional strengthening and capacity building; the policy and regulatory framework for the sector; agricultural statistics and ICT; M&E systems and coordination of the agricultural sector; and the decentralisation programme in agriculture.
In order to implement the PSTA II effectively, an implementation secretariat in Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources will be set up with sector‐wide responsibilities. The secretariat will have managers for each of the four Programmes and additional staff so that there is clear responsibility for each of the 20 Sub‐Programmes. Each person responsible for a Sub‐Programme will draft the scope of work for the activities under that Sub‐Programme which will include terms of reference for the persons who will be in charge of implementation at the field level.