Towards sustainable agriculture: An analysis of farmers' participation in agriculture programmes in Rwanda

This research analyses whether current ways farmers participate in agricultural programmes in Rwanda have been effective in channelling their feedback.

Over the last two decades, Rwanda has experienced a remarkable growth towards its long-term development goals as defined in the country’s Vision 2020 long-term strategy. Through this strategy, the aim is to transform Rwanda from a knowledge-based economy to become a middle-income country by 2020. The agriculture sector was expected to contribute significantly to the country’s growth targets.

However, little is known about the effectiveness of the existing mechanisms of farmers’ participation both in the preparation of performance contracts, especially those related to agriculture, and in the decision-making about what crop to plant in their respective communities in line with the crop regionalisation policy.

This research examines whether existing mechanisms for farmers’ participation have been effective in channelling their views and feedback with regard to the choice of agriculture-related Imihigo targets under the performance contracts, and in the selection of priority crops to cultivate in their respective communities. It also identifies the key determinants or factors explaining farmers’ choices regarding crops to grow and farming practices in their respective geographical areas.

And last but not least, it looks at how farmers’ participation can be enhanced in both Imihigo and the selection of priority crops processes, to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable agriculture development in Rwanda.