News

From March 11th to 14th, 2025, the University of Rwanda, College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Sciences (UR-CAFF), in partnership with Imperial College London (UK), the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the University of Health and Allied Sciences (Ghana), and Action Health Incorporated (Nigeria), implemented the project "Catalyzing Change for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems (CCHeFS)" at La Palme Hotel, Musanze.

Funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC), the project aims to promote agribusiness and the consumption of micronutrient-rich crops through school feeding programs.
The School Feeding Workshop brought together international and local stakeholders involved in school feeding programs and the promotion of micronutrient-rich crops. The objective was to discuss the project’s progress, share experiences, and identify strategies to enhance its impact on food security, nutrition, and rural development in Rwanda.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Manirere Jean D’Amour, representing the Principal of UR-CAVM, welcomed participants from the University of Rwanda, the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), representatives of local government, school head teachers, as well as international participants from Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana. He emphasized the significance of the workshop in addressing nutrition challenges in school feeding programs and wished attendees a fruitful workshop and a pleasant stay in Rwanda.
During the workshop, Dr. Samrat Singh from Imperial College London, delivered a presentation on “School Feeding, Food Systems, and Planetary Health”, he is also the Principal Investigator of the project. Additionally, three presentations on "Food Systems Transformation through School Feeding Programs," "Adaptability and Production of Micronutrient-Rich Crops," "Nutritional Status Assessment in School Feeding Programs," and "Policy Actions for Enhancing School Feeding Programs" were presented by lecturers from UR-CAVM. School head teachers also shared their experiences regarding the impact of the school feeding project, comparing past situations with current outcomes in their respective schools.

The workshop underscored the critical role of school feeding programs in improving child nutrition and transforming food systems. Stakeholders were encouraged to collaborate in ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of school feeding programs in Rwanda.

Jacqueline UMUPFASONI
Thursday, March 13, 2025