This research project is part of the INCLUDE programme Youth in Just Food Systems Transitions. The research programme is supporting five country case studies to analyse the drivers and barriers of “just” food systems transitions in Africa, specifically zooming in on strategies to create decent livelihoods for young women and men.
Project Summary
This research project explores youth employment in Rwanda’s just food systems transition, seeking to identify pathways, as well as the barriers and opportunities within them, for transforming food systems into engines of green job creation and economic empowerment for youth and women by stimulating inclusion and equitable outcomes.
Building on Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2, 2024–2029), the research investigates: (1) how political economy dynamics shape inclusive food systems transformation; (2) the extent to which youth, and in particular young women, are involved in and benefiting from these change processes; and (3) the impact food systems transformation has on four dimensions of justice: distributive, procedural, recognition, and restorative.
Using a mixed-method approach, the study will analyze policies, socio-economic contexts, and stakeholder insights, focusing on the maize, potatoes, and fruits and vegetables value chains, identified with Rwanda’s Youth Council. Key areas of investigation include policy alignment, skills development, market access, digital innovation, climate resilience, and youth perspectives on employment and resources.
Why This Project Matters
Food systems are critical for livelihoods in Rwanda, yet many young people face challenges such as limited access to land, financial services, and modern agricultural practices. Women, who form a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, encounter systemic barriers, including restricted participation in decision-making and unequal access to resources.
On a policy level, Rwanda has an explicit focus on food systems with an emphasis on productivity, food security, and employment creation. Climate concerns, however, are less present in food systems policies. While climate-smart agriculture is presented as a solution, these approaches are not necessarily equivalent to agro-ecological practices.
The Green Revolution pursued by the government throughout the 2000s and 2010s has had detrimental effects on ecosystems and farmer resilience. Multi-cropping has been replaced by mono-cropping, and middlemen have become more powerful, decreasing the agency of farmers. Since 2017, this trend has begun to shift, with farmers gaining greater autonomy to plant a wider variety of crops. Rwanda is also in the process of developing its third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) under the Paris Agreement. Agricultural reforms in Rwanda have historically followed a top-down approach, and this research investigates whether there is currently more room for participation.
The findings of this research will provide actionable recommendations for a youth-led, equitable food systems transition in Rwanda, emphasizing resilience, inclusion, and meaningful participation. These insights will align with Rwanda’s broader development goals and offer strategies for achieving sustainability and justice in food systems.
