Rwanda Can Leverage Its Security Partnerships to Feed Generations

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Considering Rwanda's land size and topography, available arable land decreases as population increases. For this reason, as Rwanda commits resources to alleviating grim security issues in other countries, it can also look to security diplomacy to expand arable lands and achieve food security for current and future generations. 


In recent times Rwanda has become a preferred security partner for insurgent-raven African nations in the Sub-Saharan region.  

After a successful arrangement between Rwanda and the Central African Republic in which Rwanda's armed forces repelled insurgents and created an atmosphere of stability in the country allowing for successful general elections, other countries have tapped Rwanda to help in their fight against armed rebels and terrorists. In Mozambique's Cabo Delgado region, Rwanda Defense Force and Rwanda National Police contingents, in collaboration with Mozambican forces, have successfully pushed Islamic terrorists out of their strongholds and efforts to repatriate and resettle citizens continue. Just recently, an agreement was reached between Rwanda and the government of the Benin Republic for the former to offer security assistance to aid the latter's efforts to neutralize terrorists on its Sahel borders. 

Considering Rwanda's land size and topography, available arable land decreases as population increases. For this reason, as Rwanda commits resources to alleviating grim security issues in other countries, it can also look to security diplomacy to expand its arable lands and achieve food security for current and future generations. 

What Rwanda can do: 


1. Entering long term Agricultural Land Leases with partner nations.  

To create a buffer against political volatility in partner nations, government of Rwanda can enter long term lease contracts for the use of the land. This way, Rwanda will have some degree of security in the use of the contracted land paving the way for undisturbed agricultural activities on such lands. 


2. Creating, within the Rwanda Defense Force, a Specialized Agriculture Unit, to plan, implement and oversee agricultural production activities in partner nations. 

Food security is a national security matter. So, given this and the fact that the RDF has distinguished itself in planning and implementation of projects, the RDF can be mandated to formulate plans and oversee the country's agricultural activities in partner nations, in collaboration with other state agencies and the private sector. 


3. Establishing, in partner nations, light processing factories to process agricultural commodities that require processing for ease of transportation and storage.  

Commodities, such as perishables whose storage and transportation in raw form would be costly can benefit from processing and packaging to ease their transportation to Rwanda. 


4. Entering preferential trade partnerships with partner nations. 

Leveraging preferential trade partnerships, Rwanda can buy essential food commodities from partner nations at lower prices and increase their stocks in the Strategic Food Reserves at home. 


5. Establishing a Special Investment Scheme for Rwandans who choose to move to and establish agricultural operations in partner nations. To encourage employment creation for Rwandans and further agricultural production, Rwandans who decide to move to and establish agricultural activities in partner nations can, under the Investment Scheme, receive funding. 


Building upon existing security partnerships, therefore, Rwanda can make efforts to strengthen its Strategic Food Reserves, create opportunities for its enterprising youth to feed itself and lay a reliable foundation for future generations' secure and reliable access to food.  



By: Steven Caleb Katurebe


stevencaleb680@gmail.com





 

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