Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Rwanda’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning signed a grant agreement worth US$9.5 million (approximately Rwf10 billion) for the implementation of the Smart Food Value Chain Management Project (SFVCMP).
The main objective of SFVCMP is to reduce postharvest losses of horticultural export products and increasing smallholder farmer household income through a smart agricultural product management system within the project areas of intervention.
SFVCMP will be implemented based upon bilateral cooperation: KOICA, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. The Project will end in December 2026, and the total number of direct beneficiaries will be approximately 224 cooperatives with approximately 232,734 farmers.
SFVCMP is particularly keen on farmer cooperatives who need more support from the project.
The project target group consists of smallholder farmers and low-income households who cultivate Chilli, Onions, Ginger and Garlic.
SFVCMP will also develop special measures to target women and youth involved in agriculture, especially women heads of households, and resource-poor farmers to ensure their inclusion.
In order to reduce post-harvest losses, SFVCMP will establish a National Processing centre in Kigali to add value to the vegetables before they are sold in domestic or international markets. Four regional post-harvest centre will be established in Rubavu, Rulindo, Bugesera and Nyagatare.
While reducing agricultural post-harvest losses, SFVCMP also seeks to establish a digital solution in order to increase the marketability and traceability of agriculture produces.
As a milestone project that comprises both post-harvest loss reduction and marketability components, SFVCMP is considered as a contribution to Vision 2050 and Sustainable Development Goals in Rwanda.
