Policy Brief: Comprehensive Mapping of Food Systems is Necessary to Guide Transformation Efforts: The Case of Rwanda

Rwanda has made significant strides in improving its food systems, with notable progress in reducing malnutrition and stunting, especially among children. Stunting rates declined from over 50% in the early 2000s to 33% by 2020, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and enhancing nutrition through a range of agricultural and public health initiatives. The country’s Crop Intensification Program (CIP) has played a pivotal role in increasing agricultural productivity, especially for staple crops like maize, beans, and Irish potatoes, which has contributed to better food availability across the country. Despite these achievements, substantial challenges persist. Almost 19% of households still face food insecurity, with the highest prevalence in rural areas. Additionally, malnutrition continues to affect vulnerable populations, with anemia rates among women of reproductive age at 37%, signaling gaps in nutrition security. Environmental concerns, including soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate change, further complicate efforts to sustain agricultural productivity. Approximately 40% of Rwanda’s land is affected by soil erosion, and shifting climate patterns pose increasing risks to agricultural yields. These challenges indicate the need for a more strategic, research-based approach to understanding and transforming Rwanda’s food system.

Transforming food systems is a complex task, as they comprise multiple interconnected domains. For instance, improvements in agricultural productivity directly affect nutritional outcomes, while economic growth can both drive and be constrained by the food system’s performance. In Rwanda, agriculture accounts for 24% of GDP and provides employment to more than 70% of the population, underscoring its economic importance. Yet, the agriculture sector faces limitations, including the country’s small land area, environmental degradation, and climate-related vulnerabilities. Thus, environmental sustainability must be considered alongside efforts to enhance food security. In addition, undernutrition exists alongside obesity, which is growing concern in urban areas, and related public health problems, such as rising rates of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes. These challenges underscore the need to rethink how food systems interact with public health.

In light of these multifaceted challenges, comprehensive food systems mapping becomes essential for effective policymaking and investment planning. Food systems mapping provides a detailed analysis of the many components of the food system, offering insights into the areas that need the most attention and resources. In Rwanda’s case, a comprehensive mapping effort was conducted to evaluate various aspects of the food system, including food availability, nutrition outcomes, environmental factors, and financial flows. The mapping also reviewed policies, institutions, and actors involved in the food system to assess their efficiency, relevance, and capacity to address the country’s pressing food security challenges. By synthesizing data from a wide range of indicators, this mapping exercise revealed critical points of failure in the system that require targeted interventions, such as the underfunding of nutrition security programs and the insufficient adoption of climatesmart agricultural practices.

This policy brief presents a summary of the food systems mapping exercise completed for Rwanda, emphasizing the findings that can inform the design of future agrifood systems investment plans. This mapping shows us where Rwanda’s food system currently stands and highlights the areas where further efforts are needed. It identifies gaps in policy coherence, institutional capacity, and financial resource allocation, providing a clear framework for targeted investments. By presenting this summary, the brief demonstrates how the insights from the food systems mapping can guide strategic decisions and investment strategies that address Rwanda’s most critical food security challenges. By allocating resources based on the mapping’s insights, Rwanda can ensure that its food system is more resilient, sustainable, and capable of supporting its growing population while addressing environmental and economic constraints.