In the recent review of Rwanda's Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support (SAKSS) from April 2010-May 2011, director Claude Bizimana offers up insights over the last year on progress made on monitoring and evaluation of CAADP investment programs, as well as for informing the design, monitoring, and evaluation of agriculture and rural development policies and programs in Rwanda in general.

See a more in-depth view in the short-term Rwanda SAKSS Progress Report for 1 May to 31 August 2011.

Since May 2010, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has been providing support to the Government of Rwanda in the establishment and operation of the Rwanda-SAKSS to inform the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of agriculture and rural development policies and programs in Rwanda in general, and the Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture (PSTA II) in particular. The overall goal of Rwanda-SAKSS is to provide strategic analysis and operational information for stakeholders (both state and non-state actors) involved with agricultural and rural development in Rwanda, leading to greater growth and faster poverty reduction. The main objective of Rwanda-SAKSS is to provide data collection and analytical support for review of progress in implementation of PSTA-II and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

Claude Bizimana, Rwanda SAKSS Coordinator

Bizimana was recruited as the Rwanda-SAKSS Coordinator to operate the SAKSS Node, which is based at the Directorate of Planning and Policy, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources (MINAGRI) and is under the supervision of the Director and guidance of the Permanent Secretary.  Bizimana reviewed this past year in regards to the many tasks undertaken by the node, with cautious optimism for the future.  He said, "I would like to acquire more skills and knowledge on capacity strengthening, knowledge management and M&E of agriculture and rural development to be able to help MINAGRI and local partners to undertake strategic analysis to help fill knowledge gaps relating to policy and investment for agriculture."  Through all that has been accomplished, the willingness to continue to learn is a clear goal.

View a ReSAKSS brief on Rwanda's agricultural progress.

The establishment of Rwanda-SAKSS has proven to be a valuable addition to policy, planning, implementation and monitoring evaluation in the agricultural sector.  As on-going efforts continue, the expected growth of agriculture hopes to be a mark progress and success throughout Rwanda.