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RWANDA
Activity Data Sheet
>> AFR Regional Overview >> Rwanda Overview PROGRAM: RWANDA
TITLE & NUMBER: Increased Ability of Rural Families in Targeted Communities to Improve Household Food Security, 696-003
STATUS: Continuing
FY 2001 PLANNED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $5,784,000 DA
FY 2002 PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $5,932,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003Summary: According to available statistics, per capita food production has been in decline in Rwanda since the early 1980s. The civil war (1990 - 1994) and the genocide in 1994 contributed to a sharp deterioration of the situation. The immense return of refugees from neighboring countries and the resettlement of large numbers of internally displaced persons over a three-year period exacerbated food shortages. Weak marketing systems contribute to high distribution costs, reduced producer incentives, and higher consumer prices. Food insecurity affects over 60% of Rwanda's population and is made worse because of chronically low purchasing power on the part of the nearly 70% of the Rwandan population estimated to live below the poverty line. The purpose of this strategic objective is to improve household food security through sustainable increases in agricultural production and productivity and expanded opportunities for the marketing of commodities internally and externally. This strategic objective is closely linked to the U.S. goals of economic development and humanitarian assistance. The economic development goal is to expand and diversify the productive base of the economy, particularly through support for private agriculture-based enterprises and human capacity development. The humanitarian assistance goal is to provide assistance to foster reintegration, promote reconciliation and prevent renewed outflows of refugees. Achievements under this strategic objective will benefit farmers in target communities, rural micro and small entrepreneurs, and agribusiness operators.
In FY 2001, USAID will use $2,250,000 in Economic Growth Development Assistance (DA) funds to support agribusiness development. Agriculture DA funds in the amount of $3,534,000 will provide assistance to improve data collection and policy analysis, increase access to financial services, broaden technology transfer, and strengthen human resource capacity.
Key Results: The Ministry of Agriculture's (MOA) capacity to undertake studies and analyses has improved dramatically as a result of the assistance provided by USAID. In FY 2000, three major agricultural surveys/studies were carried out, reported and disseminated. A study of fertilizer profitability generated the most interest and led the MOA to change its fertilizer recommendations and to establish 480 demonstration plots to provide more information. Recently, USAID's policy advisor to the MOA organized a workshop for Rwandan stakeholders that achieved consensus on the future direction of fertilizer policy. Because inputs are not widely used in Rwanda and soils are depleted, an expansion in fertilizer availability and application is likely to have a significant impact on crop production and productivity.
Performance and Prospects: Despite the increase in planting material made available from USAID assisted research, production declined for 3 of 5 target crops. Two drought-affected cropping seasons meant that crop production generally suffered in most parts of the country. With the exception of beans and the hardy sweet potato, USAID's other targeted research and demonstration crops declined in production from 4 to 13 percent according to estimates.
The effect of the drought was reflected in the higher prices of the crops. However, price differences between rural and urban markets narrowed significantly for 4 of 5 target crops. More crops made it to the main urban market probably as a result of increased security and relative economic stability.
In FY 2000 Rwanda's crop research facility, the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Rwanda (ISAR) recorded its most active period since the events of 1994. As a result of technical and material assistance provided by USAID, field research was rejuvenated and the capacity of researchers enhanced. A good example of ISAR's renewed capabilities was seen early in FY 2001 when 2 million of its cassava cuttings were produced and distributed to farmers in three prefectures in swift response to an urgent appeal from the Government of Rwanda (GOR) for drought relief assistance.
Food for Peace resources support this strategic objective through programs that help to boost agricultural productivity, increase soil fertility and conservation, improve the selection of crops and marketing, and enhance agriculture infrastructure. Three P.L. 480 cooperating sponsors use food aid to implement food security development programs in Rwanda. These organizations are well integrated into other USAID agriculture sector development activities. For example, they are working with ISAR to strengthen the linkages between research and farm activities. In December 2000, five tons of the ISAR cassava cuttings were also provided to farmers assisted by World Vision International (WVI) as part of an on-farm demonstration activity to raise yields and mitigate the effects of periodic droughts. In two months, WVI and its target community also terraced 107 hectares with 16,000 people directly benefiting from food-for-work activities. Credit programs for agricultural inputs have also been initiated in two communes.
WVI's program and those of the other cooperating sponsors, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Agriculture Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA), build upon prior experience in Rwanda and are in sync with USAID's and the GOR's integrated food security strategy. In December 2000, CRS completed a two-year transitional activity to rehabilitate a large wetland valley in the southwestern region of the country. Using food-for-work, farmers reclaimed 250 hectares of marshland on which they planted sweet potatoes, corn, beans, rice and Irish potatoes. They also constructed 102 kilometers (km) of canals, rehabilitated 95 km of road and built another 10 km, and planted 16,500 trees. Under its new development activity, which began in January 2001, CRS will assist 45,000 small holder families to cultivate another wetland valley, develop watersheds on the hills, and set up animal credit systems to restock livestock in a sustainable manner. ACDI/VOCA uses local currency generated from sales of vegetable oil, as well as a grant from the USAID Mission to support farmers' associations in soil and water conservation in addition to new agribusiness endeavors such as promising coffee washing and tomato processing ventures. ACDI/VOCA is also the umbrella monetization agent for the other cooperating sponsors and has done an outstanding job in this regard, including developing broader commercial participation of local traders in vegetable oil.
A key objective of the GOR's food security strategy is to reduce the almost total reliance on subsistence farming through greater production of high value marketable crops. USAID will support this objective with a new activity that links agribusiness operators to specialized services providing information, training, and financing. A significant focus will be to increase the potential for export of targeted commodities.
Lending to the agricultural sector and other parts of the rural economy is meager and a significant constraint to expanded production and marketing. USAID has helped to improve access to financial resources for women in particular, initially through grants but now increasingly by its support of Women Communal Funds that provide small loans to women for income generating activities. In FY 2001, a new USAID funded activity began delivering technical assistance to the Union of Cooperative Banks and the 140 cooperative banks spread throughout the country. USAID believes that generally improved access to financial services coupled with targeted assistance to selected enterprises has the potential to dramatically transform the rural economy. For example, USAID, using proceeds from the just completed Emergency Monetization Program, awarded a grant to a farmers' cooperative to restart pyrethrum production in the formerly volatile northwest. The grant enabled the farmers to access inputs, training and transport. As a result, the number of farm households cultivating this valuable crop increased by more than 50% to 11,000 and the land under cultivation grew by 200%. In addition, the higher production capacity persuaded a local bank to lend $500,000 to an entrepreneur for the purpose of resuming operations at the local factory, which closed in 1997. A contract has been signed with a U.S. company to export the concentrated product.
Lack of human capacity in Rwanda places a significant constraint on sustainable development. Education for Development and Democracy resources enable USAID to address human resource development in the agricultural sector through a new cross-cutting activity that includes training professionals in field-driven, participatory research and outreach to farmers. Through the provision of knowledge, training, leadership, rural development, and capacity building programs, the activity will enable the National University of Rwanda and ISAR to play a meaningful role in finding solutions to Rwanda's many agricultural and rural community problems.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: None anticipated.
Other Donor Programs: Most major donors and non-government organizations (NGOs) support this strategic objective. The UN system, with the World Food Program (WFP) in the lead, coordinates emergency and food assistance. The World Bank has developed an agriculture sector program focusing on policy development, land tenure, input supply and farmers' organizations. The United Nations Development Program is promoting small-scale rural enterprises and farmers' associations. Belgium, the major bilateral donor, is working on seed supply. The European Union has just completed a stakeholder analysis to initiate a number of development projects in the country.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Abt Associates, ACDI/VOCA, Chemonics, CRS, International Executive Service Corps, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, International Rescue Committee, Michigan State University, Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University, World Council of Credit Unions, World Vision International.
FY 2002 Performance Tables
Performance Measures:
Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY00 (Plan) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Ministry of Agriculture data and analyses are disseminated broadly to decision-makers in a timely manner NA NA mixed yes yes yes yes Indicator 2: Price difference of major staple crops among/between rural and urban markets reduced - banana NA NA 71 64 60 50 40 Indicator 3: Price difference of major staple crops among/between rural and urban markets reduced - cassava NA NA 47 30 40 35 30 Indicator 4: Price difference of major staple crops among/between rural and urban markets reduced - Irish potato NA NA 29 41 25 20 15 Indicator 5: Production yield of targeted commodities increased - banana NA NA 7.2 -26.3 5 5 NA Indicator 6: Production yield of targeted commodities increased - cassava NA NA 2.7 150 15 10 NA Indicator 7: Production yield of targeted commodities increased - Irish potato NA NA 5.9 40.7 10 10 NA Indicator 8: Production yield of targeted commodities increased - sweet potato NA NA 4.8 18.8 15 10 NA Indicator 9: Price difference of major staple crops among/between rural and urban markets reduced - sweet potatoes NA NA 207 58 115 90 75 Indicator 10: Price difference of major staple crops among/between rural and urban markets reduced - beans NA NA 38 27 30 20 15 Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S) or (IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR yes/no/mixed response based on FSTU dissemination reports; qualitative verification: opinion of other SO 3 partners FSTU and other SO 3 partners The first step is that MSU and FSTU set up a data dissemination procedure: who gets what data routinely and a form for recording dissemination that can be used for each product - checking off names and recording the date sent and recording responses to requests for copies. At the end of the reporting period, the dissemination forms provide the basis for answering the indicator question: were data and analysis disseminated broadly and in a timely manner? The SO team and MSU and the FSTU staff meet together to arrive at an answer that includes mention of progress and obstacles. If all planned studies are analyzed, validated and disseminated in a timely manner then the indicator is recorded as "yes". If the assessment is unsatisfactory, the indicator is recorded as "no". In 1999, only one of two planned reports were completed and disseminated in a timely manner therefore the indicator is measured as "mixed". Indicator 2: IR Percent difference between selected rural markets and Kigali urban market - banana EU/MOA (PASAR Project) bi-weekly price survey data Average Price of 3 rural markets from surplus regions compared to Kigali urban market. Prices are average prices between January and March. Indicator 3: IR Percent difference between selected rural markets and Kigali urban market - cassava EU/MOA (PASAR Project) bi-weekly price survey data Average Price of 3 rural markets from surplus regions compared to Kigali urban market. Prices are average prices between January and March. Indicator 4: IR Percent difference between selected rural markets and Kigali urban market - Irish potato EU/MOA (PASAR Project) bi-weekly price survey data Average Price of 3 rural markets from surplus regions compared to Kigali urban market. Prices are average prices between January and March. Indicator 5: IR Percent yield increase by crop in target prefectures; baseline in tons/ha - banana Joint MOA-FAO-EU-FEWS-WFP Crop Estimate Technical Committee Increased yield per ha at farmer's field indicates impact of research and transfer Indicator 6: IR Percent yield increase by crop in target prefectures; baseline in tons/ha - cassava Joint MOA-FAO-EU-FEWS-WFP Crop Estimate Technical Committee Increased yield per ha at farmer's field indicates impact of research and transfer Indicator 7: IR Percent yield increase by crop in target prefectures; baseline in tons/ha - Irish potato Joint MOA-FAO-EU-FEWS-WFP Crop Estimate Technical Committee Increased yield per ha at farmer's field indicates impact of research and transfer Indicator 8: IR Percent yield increase by crop in target prefectures; baseline in tons/ha - sweet potato Joint MOA-FAO-EU-FEWS-WFP Crop Estimate Technical Committee Increased yield per ha at farmer's field indicates impact of research and transfer Indicator 9: IR Percent difference between selected rural markets and Kigali urban market - sweet potatoes EU/MOA (PASAR Project) bi-weekly price survey data Average Price of 3 rural markets from surplus regions compared to Kigali urban market. Prices are average prices between January and March. Indicator 10: IR Percent difference between selected rural markets and Kigali urban market - beans EU/MOA (PASAR Project) bi-weekly price survey data Average Price of 3 rural markets from surplus regions compared to Kigali urban market. Prices are average prices between January and March.
U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 11,671 DA 2,283 DA 9,388 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 262 DFA 262 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 7,948 DA 3,947 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 19,619 DA 6,230 DA 13,389 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 262 DFA 262 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 5,784 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 5,784 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 5,932 DA 0 DA 31,335 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 262 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
