Huye, 3 April 2026 – Dr. Concorde NSENGUMUREMYI, Director General of Rwanda Forestry Authority, hosted a delegation of students from The Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College (RDFCSC) in the National Study Tour to visit the National Tree Seed Center. The visit focused on the role of environmental and climate policies in promoting sustainable security and development.

The study tour examined how environmental protection and climate action contribute to long‑term national stability and socio‑economic development. The Director General emphasized that protecting the environment is integral to national resilience, noting that degraded forests undermine food security, energy supply, and social stability.

In his welcoming address, the Director General of the RFA emphasized the profound connection between a healthy ecosystem and a stable nation. "This theme is very important because protecting the environment is not only about nature, but also about ensuring long-term national stability, economic growth, and the well-being of our people," the Director General stated. "When forests and ecosystems are degraded, it affects food security, energy supply, and social stability. Therefore, environmental protection is directly linked to national resilience and peace."

The tour showcased the critical role of the National Tree Seed Center as the foundation of Rwanda’s future forestry. Participants observed the complete seed and seedling value chain – from meticulous seed selection and collection to processing, quality testing, and nursery production. These science-based processes have been instrumental in the country’s successful afforestation, reforestation, and landscape rehabilitation efforts.

The Director General noted that these interventions have yielded strong results across the country:

• Tens of thousands of hectares restored through agroforestry and forest rehabilitation.
• Hundreds of hectares of degraded forests and water bodies successfully rehabilitated.
• Significant community empowerment through job creation, capacity building, and improved livelihoods linked to forestry activities.

The delegation also visited the Ruhande Arboretum, a historic research and conservation site covering about 200 hectares and established more than 90 years ago. The arboretum serves as a center for research, conservation, and education and demonstrates Rwanda’s long‑term commitment to sustainable forest management.

Dr. Nsengumuremyi recognized the Rwanda Defence Force for its active role in environmental protection, including participation in Umuganda, national tree planting campaigns, and protection of public forests. He said, “Over the past two years, the collaboration has helped rehabilitate approximately 760 hectares of degraded forests in the Eastern Province and restore 400 hectares in the buffer zone of Akagera National Park.” The Director General described the partnership as vital to safeguarding forest resources and advancing national environmental and security goals.

To conclude their tour, the students planted a tree, symbolizing their contribution to Rwanda’s green future.