Kigali — In a bid to conduct community-based research, researchers at Rwanda Institute of Agriculture (ISAR) have called for a strong linkage between research activities and the national policy on agriculture.

This was addressed to the Minister for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Anasthase Murekezi and Agriculture State Minister Dr. Daphrose Gahakwa, during their working visit to the research institute.

The ministers were reviewing research progress registered by the institute and whether this research responds to needs of the Rwandan farmers. They also analyzed challenges faced by both researchers and farmers.

Addressing the ministers, ISAR Director General Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, said that improving agriculture required collective effort by both policy makers and researchers to deliver quality results.

"One of the research constraints is a weak linkage between research and policy because there has been no clear consultation between policy makers and research partners before undertaking certain policies. But this ministerial visit is a clear way to solve this," he said. Other challenges identified were limited funding, lack of enough facilities and low human capacity.

The director said that ISAR intends to conduct a market and client-driven research and disseminate agricultural knowledge and technologies to the rural community so as to contribute to the economic growth and social welfare of the masses. "We have established a Technology Transfer Unit to extend to rural farmers, and we work with associations for better results.

Minister Murekezi raised the issue of good water management and soil fertility, saying the problem of soil erosion has affected agriculture production since farmers lack proper packages to fight it.

"There should be economic returns based on proper research for the short and long term profit", he said, adding that all research undertakings should be based on the needs of farmers.

The minister also encouraged horticulture farming and the growing of rice, maize, Soya, coffee, tea and bananas to boost agricultural yields. "Technology transfer department should have a strong partnership with the private sector and ISAR is in a better position to do that," the minister observed.