The "food system" analysis guide, which employs a collaborative design to analyse and transform food systems, was used in Rwanda
The implementation of the diagnostic framework started with a qualitative analysis to better understand the country’s context and priorities. This analysis revealed that more attention had to be paid to the topic of trade (imports and exports) than originally planned, as trade expansion is one of Rwanda’s national priorities. Secondly, a quantitative analysis was conducted, which involved the collection of publicly available data on supra-indicators and key leading and lagging indicators. Where local data were available from the National Institute of Statistics Rwanda (NISR), these were compared to globally available data and a decision was made on which data to use. As not all data were publicly available in NISR, it was important to engage with stakeholders to help secure the approvals required to access the data. From the priorities identified in the qualitative analysis, additional quantitative analysis was carried out with a focus on trade-related indicators.
What were the outcomes of the diagnostic analysis in Rwanda?
The diagnostic analysis revealed that Rwanda’s food system plays an important role in the country’s economy yet faces several challenges. Agriculture supplies 33 percent of gross domestic product and engages 70 percent of the population, yet food supply chains still do not yet meet the population’s needs for a healthy diet, due to multiple factors. Lessons learned: The collaborative approach in the food systems guide facilitated engagement with stakeholders and policymakers, leading to targeted policies and programmes to address specific issues within the food system. An important lesson from Rwanda's experience was that involving a broad range of stakeholders in the food system analysis ensures that diverse perspectives and insights are considered, leading to more informed decision-making and policy development.
