Rwanda - Health Sector Needs and Recommendations for the Transition Phase (Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, 1998, 39 p.): 5. Long term strategy: 5.1. Agricultural sector

Rwanda - Health Sector Needs and Recommendations for the Transition Phase (Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, 1998, 39 p.)

(introduction...)

Preface

Acronyms

1. Introduction

(introduction...)

1.1. The historical context of Rwanda

2. Rwanda: the larger picture

(introduction...)

2.1. War and insecurity

2.2. Mass displacements in the region

2.3. Food and malnutrition

2.4. Poor human resource base

2.5. Groups with special needs

2.6. Emerging and re-emerging diseases

2.7. Ownership of land and homes

3. Effects of international humanitarian aid on development

(introduction...)

3.1. Food security and distribution

3.2. Labour market distortions

4. Humanitarian relief and development: How and when could transition begin?

4.1. Should humanitarian aid continue in Rwanda?

4.2. Approaches to Transition

4.3. Options for transition actions

5. Long term strategy

(introduction...)

5.1. Agricultural sector

5.2. Private sector

6. Health and humanitarian aid in Rwanda

6.1. The health system in Rwanda

6.2. Drag Supply

6.3. Epidemiological profile

6.4. Population and fertility

6.5. Mental Health Care

7. Recommendations for humanitarian action and preparedness

(introduction...)

7.1. Action in the Red Zone

7.2. Humanitarian monitoring system

7.3. Emergency food distribution

7.4. Humanitarian targeting of vulnerable groups

7.5. Continuity of access to drugs

7.6. Preparedness for disease outbreaks

7.7. Improved management of human resources

7.8. Approaches to transition

8. Conclusions and lessons learnt

Bibliography

Annexes

Annex 1 - CRED Team members

Annex 2 - List of people met in Rwanda

Maps

5.1. Agricultural sector

National income is almost exclusively based on the agricultural sector. Unemployment in this sector is very high due to overpopulation and scarcity of land. Almost 400 000 farmers (more than two million people) have less than 0,5 hectare land and live on mini-farms which is too small to generate enough harvest to feed an average family²¹.

²¹Formulation de la strate de dloppement agricole, RmMinagri, 1997 intensify the production.

A new strategy for the agricultural sector is developed within an overall macro-economic strategy plan. Some fundamental changes are foreseen, but will be very hard to implement. Following measures are planned - though subject to major discussions - to achieve a higher production levels:

· Improved land use by more appropriate division of land for cultivation or for other activities, including “villagisation” or regroupement of people into new villages.
· Increased use of fertilisers and the construction of terraces in order to
· Land ownership should be privatised, suspending the traditional heritage system (droit coutumi) and all land should be for sale on the market.

The main idea of the agricultural reform is to evolve from an individual and dispersed production to more collective and regrouped fanning in order to increase the agricultural production. This is an ambitious plan, not only due to cultural barriers but also given the high rate of natural increase of me population where by 2010 this sector will have to absorb 9 million people.

Another problem regarding the new policy is the lack of information towards the population. There is for example a huge resistance towards the politics of villagisation. Much of the villagisation depends on new constructions of homes which are often unsatisfactory. Many houses are too small for the average Rwandan family. There are no facilities for a kitchen, nor sanitation or water supply in the villages. Frequently, the housing is constructed in rigid, unnatural formations and at a distance from commercial centres, schools or water sources. Moreover, people are afraid to live isolated as a group since they are more vulnerable to be attacked. As a result, many housing blocks, built at high costs, remain unoccupied.