Research works from the College of Agriculture, Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/12 2026-04-14T07:07:17Z 2026-04-14T07:07:17Z Hagenimana, Theoneste https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/2116 2024-10-02T09:51:18Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Food safety priority, a critical gap and a window for effective food, nutrition security and sustainable development in Rwanda: A contextual analysis Hagenimana, Theoneste Food safety is globally an important issue and a priority for a sustainable food system and health and essential for achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 agenda. The present study aimed at identifying the critical gaps in the role of food safety in achieving agriculture, food and nutrition security along with the implementation of SDGs in Rwanda. The review of the Rwandan context showed that food safety was not considered and integrated within the development programs for agriculture, food and nutrition security. This lack of food safety integration affected the success of these programs and had a potential negative impact on the achievement of the ten SDGs, namely SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 5, SDG 6, SDG 8, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG13 and SDG 17. With available food safety opportunities in Rwanda, food safety should be a priority because it plays a critical role in implementing effective sustainable development programs. There is a need for food safety strategic integration by an evidence-based food safety decision-making approach through involving all concerned stakeholders. Journal article

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z Ntawubizi, Martin https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/1061 2020-07-30T13:42:29Z 2019-12-01T00:00:00Z

Pesticide Application Practices and Knowledge among Small-Scale Local Rice Growers and Communities in Rwanda: A Cross-Sectional Study Ntawubizi, Martin Background: Agriculture contributes a third of Rwanda's GDP and is the main source of income for rural households, with 80% of the total population involved in crop and/or livestock production. The Government of Rwanda established the Muvumba rice project in 2011 amidst a policy shift towards rice as a national staple crop. However, the indiscriminate use of pesticides by local, low-income rice growers has raised concerns about potential human, animal and ecosystem health impacts as pesticide distribution and application are not strictly regulated. Although pesticide use can directly influence farmer health and ecosystems, little is known about small-scale farmers' pesticide application practices and knowledge. We aimed to assess local application practices and understanding of pesticides to identify gaps in farmers' knowledge on safe pesticide use and deviations from established standards and recommended practices. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of observations of pesticide practices and interviews with 206 small-scale rice growers in Nyagatare District, Rwanda, in March 2017. Descriptive statistical analyses (sample means, standard deviation and range) were performed, and we evaluated the association between farmers' personal protective equipment (PPE) use and their education level and literacy status. Results: Over 95% of observed farmers did not comply with minimum standards for safe pesticide use, and 80% of respondents reported that they stored pesticides in their homes without personal protection measures. Education and literacy level were not significantly associated with PPE use. Additionally, 90% of respondents had experienced adverse health effects after using pesticides including intense headache, dizziness, stomach cramps, skin pain and itching, and respiratory distress. All respondents also reported animals in and around the rice scheme (cattle, birds, and fish) behaving abnormally or with signs consistent with pesticide exposure in the six months preceding the study, which may be linked to pesticide-contaminated water. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates potential for high exposure to pesticides for farmers, their families, and animals sharing rice-growing or downstream environments and points to the need for training on safe and effective pesticide use. Journal article

2019-12-01T00:00:00Z Niyigena, J. Marie Vianney Nsengiyumva, J.Nepo https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/961 2020-04-24T11:42:11Z 2020-04-24T00:00:00Z

Effect of post harvest loss reduction of Irish Potato on food security in Rwanda Niyigena, J. Marie Vianney; Nsengiyumva, J.Nepo The study aimed to assess the effect of post-harvest loss reduction of Irish potato on food security in Rwanda. Specifically the study aimed to map the key Irish potato value chain actors in Musanze district, to analyse determinants of post-harvest loss of Irish potato in Musanze district and to assess the effect of post-harvest loss reduction of Irish potato on farmers’ revenues in Musanze District. The study was conducted in four high potential Irish potato production sectors of Musanze district namely Gataraga sector, Musanze, Busogo and Kinigi sectors. The study covered the total of 112 Irish potato producers including 92 Post Harvest Handling and Storage (PHHS) adopters and 30 non-adopters. The study used primary data collected through structured questionnaires containing quantitative and qualitative parameters. The study used descriptive statistics as well as econometric propensity score matching (PSM) to model and compare the effect of use of Irish potato post-harvest loss reduction interventions on food security among farmers from the study area. Data was analysed using Ms excel, SPSS and STATA and modelling. The study found that 11% of the total Irish potato production is lost at farm level with only 89% reaching the different markets outlets. The factors affecting Irish potato post-harvest losses in Musanze district were age of the farmer, farm size, land allocated for Irish potato farming, access to extension services, trainings on PHHS operations, materials used in Irish potato harvesting and storage duration of Irish potato production. For Irish potato production in 2018A, the average Irish potato production was 6.979tons/ha and the mean difference in terms of production ranged from 854.72 kg/ha to 1,039.97 kg/ha. While in season 2018B, the average Irish potato production was 4.3tons/ha and the mean difference in terms of production ranged from 1.18 to 1.19tons/ha the mean difference between treated and control increased from 16.80 Kg/ ha to 374.41 Kg/ha and the production parameter was not statistically significant at 5% level of significance (Insufficient production). For food storage, in season of 2018A, the average quantity of Irish potato stored was 57.69Kg per households while the mean difference was ranging from 56.07Kg to 57.69Kg .while in 2018B there was no farmer who stored any Irish potato. For food consumption, in 2018A the average quantity of Irish potato consumed was 825Kg while the mean difference was ranging from 254.18Kg to 511.54Kg of cooked Irish potato. During the next farming season of 2018B, the average mean quantity consumed was 748.08Kg while the mean difference of treated and control was ranging from 294.29Kg to 542.63Kg using the NNM, KM and RM and all parameters were statistically significant at 5% level of significance. The seasonal findings showed that Average Treatment effect on Treated (ATT) of farmers’ revenues per hectare of Irish potato was 1,394,517 Frws/ha and 1,161,103 Frws/ha while the mean difference was ranged from 383,592Frws/ha to 411,854 Frws/ha in 2018A. While in season of 2018B, the mean difference was ranging from 171,816 Frws/ha to 211,577 Frws/ha. All parameters were evaluated based on three matching algorithms including using Nearest Neighbor Matching (NNM), Kernel Matching (KM) and Radius Matching (RM). The study findings also concluded that there is no food security due to price fluctuation and low farmers’ revenues that may hamper producer’s ability to participate in retail markets outlets and afford dietary needs for their households’ members. A need for improve of extensions services to encourage farmers to adopt different physical layout of stores is recommended so as to minimize loss and increase the nutritional status of the Irish potato. Working Paper

2020-04-24T00:00:00Z Jean Nepo, Nsengiyumva Eliezel, Habineza Eric, Ruzigamanzi https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/959 2020-04-15T15:15:11Z 2020-04-17T00:00:00Z

Effects of credits accessibility for small Holder Farmers in Rwanda: evidence from Irish Potato growers In Musanze District Jean Nepo, Nsengiyumva; Eliezel, Habineza; Eric, Ruzigamanzi The provision of credit to farmers is widely perceived as an effective strategy for promoting the adoption of improved technologies by rural farm households. It is believed that access to credit promotes the adoption of risky technologies through the relaxation of the liquidity constraint as well as through the boosting of households risk bearing ability. The study aimed to analyse the effects of credits accessibility for small farmers in Rwanda: Evidence from Irish potato growers in Musanze District, Northern Province in Rwanda. Multistage sampling techniques were used to select 212 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize farmers and T-test were used to compare means of credits users and non-credit users. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16.0), STATA 13.0 and Ms Excel were used to analyse data. An econometric model was applied to estimate the data using STATA version 13. Propensity score matching (PSM) model was used to analyse determinants and effects of credits accessibility for smallholder farmers in Musanze District, Rwanda. The key findings from Propensity score matching model revealed that the seasonal NPK usage in Irish potato production ranges from 163Kg/ha to 188.89Kg of NPK and the effect increased from 10.91Kg to 39.63Kg for treated and control group using NNM, KM and RM. The study results also concluded that the yearly cost needed to buy NPK was 70,685Frws/ha and the mean difference was ranged from 95,491Frws/ha to 102,979Frws/ha For pesticides use, the intra seasonal quantity of pesticides used was ranged from 4.69Kg to 5.96Kg/ha per season and seasonal mean difference was ranging from 0.181Kg to 1.63Kg. The total cost invested in pesticides purchasing value was 28, 989Frws with the mean difference ranging from 12,232Frws to 14,117Frws between treated and control groups. The study findings showed that seasonal Irish potato production was ranging from 7295.12 Kg/ ha to 8113.25kg/ha and the mean difference for credits users and non credits users was varying from 790.40Kg/ha to 871.79Kg/ha in 2017A and from 691.31Kg/ha to 1091.99Kg/ha in season of 2017B. Moreover, the study findings concluded that the seasonal farmer’s revenues from Irish potato production was ranging from 1,216,962Frws/ha to 1,230,585Frws/ha and the mean difference as program impact for credits users and non credits users was varying from 181,001Frws/ha to 313,787Frws/ha in 2017A and in 2017B, the mean difference (program impact) ranged from 313,787 Frws/ha to 375,569Frws/ha. Therefore, future studies should also focus on the spill over effects of credits program interventions among the low and high-income households participating in such credits schemes

2020-04-17T00:00:00Z