Envoy highlights sector employing 65pc of Rwanda’s population as both sides push for exchanges and innovation-driven cooperation

Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Harerimana Fatou has called for stronger collaboration with Pakistan in agriculture, emphasising that structured partnerships in research, technology transfer and academic exchanges could help both countries tackle food security challenges and improve farm productivity. 

The envoy made these remarks during a visit to the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, where she met Vice Chancellor Zulfiqar Ali and senior university officials, including deans and directors, to discuss expanding cooperation in education and the agriculture sector.

Officials from both sides explored avenues to formalise institutional linkages and launch joint initiatives aimed at advancing agricultural research, strengthening academic collaboration and promoting the adoption of modern farming technologies.

Highlighting agriculture’s central role in Rwanda’s economy, Ms Fatou noted that around 65 percent of the country’s population depends on the sector for livelihoods, making international knowledge-sharing partnerships critical for sustainable development. She said the technical expertise and research capacity available at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad could significantly support Rwanda’s efforts to modernise its farming systems.

She stressed that enhanced student and faculty exchange programmes, combined with technology transfer mechanisms, would help build durable partnerships capable of delivering long-term gains in agricultural productivity and rural development.

Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali described the visit as a constructive step toward deepening academic and scientific cooperation between the two countries. He reaffirmed the university’s readiness to facilitate collaborative research, share agricultural innovations and provide technical support to partner institutions in Rwanda.

He added that sustained engagement between universities and research institutions would not only strengthen food security outcomes but also lay the foundation for broader economic and development cooperation between the two nations.

During her visit, the high commissioner also toured key university facilities, including the Pak Korea Nutrition Centre, the Centre for Advanced Studies, the Expo Centre and the Solar Park, where she was briefed on ongoing research and infrastructure supporting agricultural innovation. Pakistan Today