PMC in Rwanda

Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and food production is one of its greatest challenges. Poor nutrition impacts all people, but particularly women and children. One in five children are physically or mentally stunted due to malnutrition and more than 10 percent of children die before their fifth birthday.

Agriculture is the primary economic activity for more than 80 percent of the population, most of which live in rural areas, but the high population density limits land for crops and Rwanda ran out of new arable land almost 20 years ago.

In the past 47 years, Rwanda’s forests have decreased by 64 percent to make way for crops, but 96.2 percent of Rwandan households rely on wood as a source of energy. The forests are also home to Rwanda’s gorillas, the single largest tourist industry in Rwanda. Rwanda has committed to reaching 30 percent forestation by 2020. It is one of only three countries in Central and Western Africa to reverse its declining forest cover and is on course to achieve its 30 percent goal.