Industrial Policy: Proposed Features of a National Agro-Processing Forum under the IDEC

Although Rwanda has in place a National Industrial Policy, agro-processing has so far failed its main purpose of boosting agriculture production for food and livelihood security. The sector also continues to face climate and trade-related challenges. More effective implementation of the industrial policy in the area of agro-processing development should bring on board agro-processors as part of its public-private dialogue mechanisms, so as to base its interventions on ground realities. Towards this end, this paper advocates for creating a National Agro-processors’ Forum, integrated into the Industrial Development and Export Council (IDEC), and proposes its main features.