Highlights from the 2nd Rwanda STI Conference (23-24 September 2024)
The 2nd Rwanda Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Conference took place from September 23rd to 24th, 2024, at the Kigali Convention Centre, attracting over 300 participants, including renown speakers, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and exhibitors .
Organized by the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), University of Rwanda, INES Ruhengeri, the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), and various other national and international partners. The 2nd Rwanda STI conference 2024 focused on the theme: “Promoting Climate-Resilient Agriculture through Science, Technology, and Innovation for Enhanced Food Security and Nutrition.”
The event served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking. It featured a diverse array of activities, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, paper presentations, exhibitions, and an innovation pitching session. Stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and civil society engaged in impactful discussions aimed at advancing agriculture through cutting-edge technology and innovation.
Opening Remarks and Keynote Addresses
Opening Remarks:
The conference was officially opened by Hon. Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources. He emphasized the urgent need to address the challenges posed by climate change to agricultural systems, by highlighting the importance of technology and innovation, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and precision farming, in addressing food security and climate resilience.
Keynote Addresses:
Prof. Eugénie Kayitesi from the University of Pretoria delivered a compelling keynote on the role of integrated agri-food systems and post-harvest technologies as pivotal drivers for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), presented an insightful keynote on strategies and best practices for enhancing food processing, storage, and market access.
Emeritus Prof. Ken Giller from Wageningen University discussed on "Big Data – Small Farms," focusing on the opportunities and challenges of utilizing big data to enhance climate resilience in smallholder farming systems.
Dr. Hakizumwami Birali Runesha from the University of Chicago showcased how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are transforming agricultural productivity and efficiency.
Dr. Peter Minang, Director for Africa and Global Coordinator, delivered a keynote on the importance of promoting gender and social equity in agriculture.
Panel Discussions:
The conference featured engaging panel discussions on topics like policy integration for climate-resilient agriculture, collaboration between academia, industry, and the public sector, and the transformative potential of emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI, and vertical farming.
Oral Presentations
The 2nd Rwanda STI Conference featured 21 oral presentations from experts around the globe out of the 27 that were accepted. Of these, 2 were pre-recorded, while the remaining 19 were delivered in person.
Exhibition and Poster presentations
The 2nd Rwanda STI Conference featured 8 poster presentations showcasing cutting-edge research, out of the 13 accepted submissions. Additionally, the event highlighted 22 exhibitors who showcased innovative projects and solutions, with 12 of them participating in the pitching sessions.
Awards and Recognition:
The conference concluded with a Gala Dinner and an Awarding Ceremony, where distinguished individuals were recognized for their contributions to addressing climate-resilient agriculture challenges:
| # | Category | Awardee Name | Title of research | Award |
| 1 | The Best Scientist Award | Prince Rukundo | Rwandan Smart Farming: An application of Machine Learning Models, NDVI, and an Agricultural Chatbot for Crop Yield and Stress Prediction | 10,000,000 Rwf |
| 2 | The Rising Star Award | Marie Claire Mukamusoni | Impact of Irrigation Regimes and Amendment Techniques on Phsio-Chemical Properties of the Soil, Yield and Water use Efficiency of Garden Egg | 6,500,000 Rwf |
| 3 | The Best Female Scientist Award | Dr. Bancy Waithira Waweru | Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes compared to local pest management practices against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in maize | 7,000,000 Rwf |
| 4 | The Best Exhibitor Award | Prof. Marie Goretti Umuhozariho |
| 8,000,000 Rwf. |
The 2nd Rwanda STI Conference also highlighted the recognition of nine students who completed their studies at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.
Closing Remarks:
Hon. Minister Joseph Nsengimana concluded the conference by reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to advancing agriculture through science, technology, and innovation. He also commended the international collaborations fostered during the event and emphasized the importance of investing in STI to achieve sustainable development goals.
Conclusion
The 2nd Rwanda STI Conference successfully brought together diverse stakeholders to address the pressing issue of climate resilience in agriculture. Through the exchange of innovative ideas and the establishment of new partnerships, the event laid the groundwork for advancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in the face of climate change.
The two-day event reaffirmed Rwanda’s leadership in promoting the integration of science and technology into agricultural practices and highlighted the essential role of collaboration among sectors to achieve sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.