The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) has officially launched the second phase of two major agricultural projects: the Second Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP II) and the Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP) Phase 2. The launch took place simultaneously across all project intervention districts nationwide, with activities set to reach all districts by the end of the week. These initiatives mark the beginning of an ambitious effort to enhance food security and boost agricultural productivity across the country.

The primary goal of SAIP II is to increase agricultural productivity, market access, and food security for targeted beneficiaries in project areas. RDDP2, on the other hand, aims to improve the income, nutrition, and resilience of rural households by fostering a more inclusive, sustainable, digitalized, and competitive dairy sector.

The launch events saw widespread participation from district mayors, local leaders, security organs, private sector representatives, cooperatives, farmers, agribusiness investors, and financial institutions. These participants engaged in dynamic presentations and discussions focused on the implementation strategies of SAIP II and RDDP2 in intervention districts.

During the event, officials emphasized the critical role these projects will play in transforming agriculture in Rwanda. They highlighted how SAIP II will increase agricultural production, improve value chains, and enhance food security, while RDDP2 will focus on advancing the dairy sector, ultimately improving the livelihoods of rural households.

District leaders encouraged farmers to seize the opportunities offered by these projects to boost their incomes and improve their livelihoods. They also called upon key players in the agricultural sector to actively participate in the projects' implementation to ensure that the target objectives are achieved.

Building on the success of SAIP I, SAIP II is designed to significantly increase agricultural productivity over the next three years. The project is organized around four key components: Institutional Strengthening, Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Nutrition Improvement, Irrigation and Water Use Efficiency, and Market Linkages, Value Addition, and Project Management. Key activities will include providing access to small-scale irrigation equipment through matching grants, strengthening market linkages, and training farmers to reduce postharvest losses.

SAIP II will benefit smallholder farmers, Water Users Associations (WUAs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), cooperatives, agro-SMEs, and over 65,000 households—of which at least 42% will be women—through nutrition-sensitive agriculture and value chain support. The project will focus on several key crops, including vegetables, fruits, maize, Irish potatoes, and beans, with a vision to enhance both domestic and international market access.

RDDP Phase 2, which will be implemented over six years (2024–2029), will focus on increasing the productivity and resilience of dairy smallholder farmers. It is structured around three main components: Increasing productivity and resilience of dairy smallholder production systems; Increasing dairy value chain efficiency; and Policy and Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Knowledge Management

RDDP2 will promote the use of digital technologies, increase access to finance, and create a conducive policy environment for the dairy sector. It will also promote the adoption of climate-smart practices, improve access to feed, water, health, and breeding services, and introduce advanced digital technologies and nature-based solutions. The project aims to support approximately 175,000 rural households, equating to 700,000 people, with a special focus on female-headed households, youth, and vulnerable groups.

RDDP2’s interventions will increase dairy value chain efficiency through investments in milk collection and storage facilities, collective marketing, and awareness campaigns to boost dairy consumption. The project will further promote access to finance and create a favorable policy environment to support the dairy sector's growth.

The expected outcomes of RDDP2 include a 30% increase in the income of dairy households, the creation of nearly 29,000 jobs, and the adoption of environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient practices by 60% of dairy households. The project will also improve nutritional security for 45% of households, rehabilitate 299 milk storage facilities, and digitalize 94 milk collection centers.

Both SAIP II and RDDP2 are implemented under the Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) of RAB. SAIP II is funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) through the World Bank Group’s International Development Association (IDA), while RDDP2 is funded by IFAD and other partners. Together, these projects will contribute to Rwanda’s agricultural transformation, improving rural livelihoods, boosting food security, and building a more resilient agricultural sector.