Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KIGALI821
2008-11-26 10:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:
REWANDA RESPONSE TO PROPOSED GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLGB #0821 3311023 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 261023Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5770 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0216 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0348 RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0447 RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 1260 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2035 RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0587 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0361 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1367 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0620
UNCLAS KIGALI 000821
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE/EEB - MLURIE, JSPECK
PASS TO USAID - BHAMMINK
PASS TO USDA KMILLER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON EFIN EINV ETRD PGOV KIDE AID
RW
SUBJECT: REWANDA RESPONSE TO PROPOSED GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
REF: STATE 123480
UNCLAS KIGALI 000821
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE/EEB - MLURIE, JSPECK
PASS TO USAID - BHAMMINK
PASS TO USDA KMILLER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON EFIN EINV ETRD PGOV KIDE AID
RW
SUBJECT: REWANDA RESPONSE TO PROPOSED GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
REF: STATE 123480
1. (U) Emboffs reviewed reftel talking points with Minister
of State in Charge of Agriculture Dr. Agnes Kalibata.
Kalibata welcomed the initiative and agreed that a global
partnership would be helpful for advancing global food
security. The Minister noted global food insecurity "will
not go away" and needed to be addressed through global
cooperative programs.
2. (U) Kalibata suggested that while much emphasis has been
focused on food production, Rwanda needs more "post harvest"
assistance. She noted that "if farmers produce but then
can't sell their products due to poor crop storage facilities
and inefficient markets then there is no incentive for them
to produce next season". The minister recommended more
attention be placed on organizing farmer cooperatives and
providing them with assistance in selling their products
outside of their immediate communities. Better storage
facilities and packaging materials were also key to selling
beyond local markets, she said.
3. (U) The minister said that Rwanda's harvests have been
excellent, but that demand from external markets such as the
Sudan and Uganda has keep prices relatively high. While this
benefited the rural communities, she admitted that urban
consumers were suffering from the higher prices.
SYMINGTON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE/EEB - MLURIE, JSPECK
PASS TO USAID - BHAMMINK
PASS TO USDA KMILLER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON EFIN EINV ETRD PGOV KIDE AID
RW
SUBJECT: REWANDA RESPONSE TO PROPOSED GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
REF: STATE 123480
1. (U) Emboffs reviewed reftel talking points with Minister
of State in Charge of Agriculture Dr. Agnes Kalibata.
Kalibata welcomed the initiative and agreed that a global
partnership would be helpful for advancing global food
security. The Minister noted global food insecurity "will
not go away" and needed to be addressed through global
cooperative programs.
2. (U) Kalibata suggested that while much emphasis has been
focused on food production, Rwanda needs more "post harvest"
assistance. She noted that "if farmers produce but then
can't sell their products due to poor crop storage facilities
and inefficient markets then there is no incentive for them
to produce next season". The minister recommended more
attention be placed on organizing farmer cooperatives and
providing them with assistance in selling their products
outside of their immediate communities. Better storage
facilities and packaging materials were also key to selling
beyond local markets, she said.
3. (U) The minister said that Rwanda's harvests have been
excellent, but that demand from external markets such as the
Sudan and Uganda has keep prices relatively high. While this
benefited the rural communities, she admitted that urban
consumers were suffering from the higher prices.
SYMINGTON