Promoting climate smart approaches to post-harvest challenges in Rwanda

Abstract

Climate change is inevitable and increasingly it appears that the world is not doing enough to both slow the changes and adapt to them. In Africa, for example, this translates itself into more erratic rainfall patterns, often associated with increasing wind speeds, and a continued albeit slow increase in both maximum and minimum temperatures – predicted to reach up to 3.25°C by the end of the century. These changes all have direct and indirect impacts on development investments being made throughout rural Africa, which aim at both crop and livestock production increases through the promotion of more climate smart approaches. Unfortunately, at the same time little is being done to ensure that associated infrastructure for post-harvest storage and processing, and subsequent transport networks are climate resilient. Modern infrastructure facilities will need to reflect the growing concern over climate change. This paper draws lessons from a review of the current status of post-harvest structures in Rwanda and suggests basic design guidelines for greater adaptation to emerging environmental and climate change challenges. This approach is consistent with the strategies Rwanda has adopted to achieve its Vision 2020, the Millennium Development Goals, the emerging Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG6, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.