Rwanda has sealed a deal to supply over 20,000 Metric tones of Maize to the World Food Program.
On Tuesday the Ministry of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Food Program (WFP) formalising intention of the WFP to buy from Rwanda up to 20,000 MT of maize and up to 10,000 MT of beans during 2012.
The MoU also lays out the possibility of increasing purchases up to 100,000 MT of maize and 50,000 MT of beans by June 2015.
The deal is the second of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, with WFP having a similar agreement with Tanzania.
WFP Deputy Country Director Jan Delbaere said that Rwanda was chosen because of “the success of the crop intensification program.”
Delbaere commented, “It’s a market decision because the conditions are right and the Purchase for Progress program is performing very well here in Rwanda.”
The Purchase for Progress Program is another WFP initiative that has been backed by the Ministry of Agriculture and works to ensure fair prices for farmers.
This agreement with MINAGRI will help to stock the WFP’s FPF Facility which is a facility set up to have stock of cereal and legumes so that it can be easily available in case of crisis.
Permanent Secretary Ernest Ruzindaza, who signed the MoU on behalf of MINAGRI noted, “This is a beneficial partnership because it ensures a market for our farmers.”
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