Rwanda exhibition focuses on innovation for sustainable agri-food systems
KIGALI, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan farmers are showcasing a wide range of innovations transforming the country's agriculture sector at the ongoing 18th National Agriculture Show in Kigali, the capital.
Running from June 18 to 27, the exhibition attracted about 500 exhibitors, according to Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture.
From smart irrigation systems and high-yield crop varieties to modern machinery, smart farming tools and climate-smart solutions, visitors can see real farming solutions in action which have been tested, proven, and ready to adopt.
Also on display are tractors, precision seeders, harvesters, and other impressive machines that showcase how mechanization is transforming agriculture in Rwanda.
Fredy Karegeya, head of seed production at a local seed company, said that the adoption of smart systems and innovation has enabled their seed production to thrive and make a real impact on food systems in the country.
"We work on three crops including maize, beans and soybeans, the major one being maize. In maize seed production, we have almost four varieties and others in the pipeline coming soon after the performance trial. One of the maize varieties we developed is suitable for dry lands, a variety that produces high yields ranging from nine metric tons to 12 metric tons per hectare," Karegeya told Xinhua in a recent interview.
"This maize variety is new and has the capacity to withstand the changing climate with a shorter maturity period of three months. This variety plays a key role in ensuring sustainable food systems, whereby farmers get high quality production and get seeds in time," he added.
Earlier, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe said the annual event offers a platform for showcasing technologies, innovative practices, and partnerships that address the challenges in agriculture from climate change to post-harvest losses.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
28 minutes ago
- The Star
Danish parliament speaker calls for green transition cooperation with China
COPENHAGEN, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Denmark and China should enhance cooperation in green technology and sustainable industries for the future, Soren Gade, Speaker of the Danish Parliament (Folketing) said on Monday. Speaking to Xinhua at a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Denmark to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, Gade expressed confidence that the two countries will further expand their green partnership, especially in light of the global push for sustainable development and green transition. "We are very much involved in green tech, and China is as well. We will continue to cooperate on the green transition in the years to come," he said. He said that cooperation between Denmark and China has deepened across various fields over the past 75 years. "Denmark and China have enjoyed increasingly close cooperation in many areas. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Lokke Rasmussen just visited China last month, which demonstrates the high level of our bilateral relations," Gade said. The parliament speaker highlighted strong existing cooperation in wind power, battery technology, and new energy vehicles, adding that these areas should remain key focuses for future collaboration. "China is always at the forefront in these areas, and I see no reason why our cooperation should not continue and deepen in the years to come," he said. Gade noted that he had visited China many times, including during a 2014 state visit with then Danish Queen Margrethe II. "China is a huge country with a large number of consumers. This is why many Danish companies are eager to develop in China," he said. "At the same time, China is a very friendly and welcoming place to visit."
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Britain unveils 10-year industrial strategy to cut energy costs, support key sectors
LONDON, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The British government on Monday unveiled a comprehensive 10-year Industrial Strategy designed to tackle long-standing structural challenges facing British industry, including high energy costs and lengthy delays in electricity grid connections. The plan also outlines targeted support for eight high-growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital technology. A major component of the strategy is the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, which aims to reduce electricity bills by up to 25 percent for more than 7,000 energy-intensive businesses - including those in the steel and chemicals sectors - starting in 2027. These savings will come from removing several existing charges on electricity bills that currently fund renewable energy generation and backup supply systems. Complementing this initiative, the British Industry Supercharger program will expand support for approximately 500 companies in sectors such as ceramics, glass, and aluminum. These firms currently receive a 60 percent discount on electricity network charges, which will increase to 90 percent from 2026, a move expected to lower operating costs and enhance global competitiveness. To address persistent delays in connecting to the electricity grid, the government plans to launch a Connections Accelerator Service by the end of 2025. The service will work in coordination with energy providers, devolved governments, and local authorities to expedite grid access for major investment projects. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the strategy as "a turning point for Britain's economy and a clear break from the short-termism and sticking plasters of the past." Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves emphasized the plan's investment-friendly approach, noting that it would ease business energy costs, unlock funding for advanced technologies, and support job creation. "It will boost our economy and create jobs that put more money in people's pockets," she said. The government stressed that the reforms would not lead to higher taxes or household energy bills. Instead, they will be financed through adjustments to the national energy system and increased revenues from carbon pricing. Beyond energy reforms, the strategy includes sector-specific support for eight high-potential industries: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, defense, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, and professional and business services. Each sector will receive tailored policy frameworks and funding packages over the next decade. While industry representatives have broadly welcomed the announcement, some experts and business leaders have voiced reservations. Critics argue that although the electricity price reforms may enhance competitiveness, they are unlikely to fully close the gap with lower industrial power costs in countries like France and Germany. Britain's electricity prices remain closely linked to wholesale gas markets, which still account for a larger share of Britain's energy mix than in many European countries. Others questioned the government's ability to follow through on its long-term commitments, citing past inconsistencies in industrial policy. Several industry voices also called for faster implementation amid intensifying global competition for green investment. The government said detailed action plans for each sector will be published in phases over the coming months.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Analysis: NATO summit highlights internal tensions amid Trump's defense spending push, says experts
By Zhao Xiaona, Larry Neild LONDON, June 23 (Xinhua) -- As NATO leaders gather this week in The Hague for the alliance's first-ever summit hosted by the Netherlands, attention is shifting toward the alliance's cohesion and internal dynamics, rather than facing external policy challenges. According to the agenda, although the summit officially runs for two days, from June 24 to 25, the key discussions are expected to take place over the course of a single day. The agenda is narrowly focused on U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to raise defense spending targets to 5 percent of GDP - a plan that has received a mixed response from European capitals, highlighting deeper concerns about NATO's unity, military capabilities, and long-term strategic direction. "This summit is highly Trump-centric," said Stefan Wolff, professor of international security at the University of Birmingham. "It's been compressed to a single day, with a single agenda item, designed to limit unpredictability. That reflects NATO's institutional anxiety - a defensive effort to retain the U.S. as a participant, even at the cost of long-term planning." Wolff added that the summit's tightly controlled structure underscores fears that Trump might exit prematurely or withdraw support if discussions stray beyond his specified terms. "The structure of this meeting is intentionally risk-averse," he said. "It's not about building consensus - it's about avoiding disruption." Although Trump's demand for higher defense spending dominates the agenda, recent unilateral U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have further diverted NATO's focus from its foundational mission - strengthening Europe's defense architecture. "The U.S. acted alone, and Europe simply wasn't part of that conversation," Wolff said. "Europe still lacks strategic enablers - intelligence, long-range transport, rapid deployment, and command systems. These aren't just budget issues - they are structural gaps." Wolff warned that even if NATO members meet the proposed 5 percent target, without prioritization and coordinated defense-industrial development, such spending risks becoming "financial inflation without strategic output." Internal divisions further complicate the alliance's ability to act cohesively. While some member states push for a more proactive collective defense role, others remain reluctant to commit to common strategies or timelines. "If NATO cannot agree on its main purpose, then even well-funded forces will lack shared direction," Wolff said. "Without unity, the 5 percent target becomes just another political gesture to buy time." John Bryson, chair of Enterprise and Economic Geography at Birmingham Business School, the University of Birmingham, described the summit as a crucial test for Europe's defense ambitions. "This is a test of whether Europe can grow beyond its dependency on the United States and shape a credible defense model of its own," he said. Bryson noted that raising defense spending is not a panacea for NATO. "This is the paradox of deterrence - you spend vast sums on weapons that may never be used, and that doesn't automatically translate into security. " He emphasized that NATO should be a stabilizing force. "It is not a war-fighting alliance, but a war-prevention structure. The moment it loses its cohesion, it loses its meaning." Both Bryson and Wolff agreed that the alliance faces fragile internal conditions. Trump's influence, they said, has driven NATO toward short-term reassurance at the expense of long-term strategic development. Bryson also noted that Washington's growing involvement in Middle East conflicts risks further distracting NATO from its core European focus. "Venturing beyond its geographic scope could dilute NATO's identity as a defensive pact - and that, above all, must be safeguarded," Bryson said.
