Empowering Rwanda’s Future: Gender and Youth-Responsive Agronomy for Inclusive Agricultural Growth
The Smart Nkunganire System (SNS) in Rwanda is reshaping the future of agriculture by focusing on inclusivity. Recent findings from a gender and youth diagnostic study revealed critical insights into the challenges and opportunities for women and youth in the agricultural sector. With targeted interventions, the SNS-RAB (Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board) Use Case aims to address these disparities and empower these key groups.
Understanding the Study: Bridging the Gender and Youth Gap in Agriculture
The study focused on six priority crops: cassava, maize, wheat, potato, rice, and beans. It aimed to understand how gender and generational differences affect agricultural development and how these differences can be addressed through the SNS. The ultimate goal is to create a more inclusive and productive agricultural sector in Rwanda.
Key Findings: Challenges Facing Women and Youth
1. Gender Disparities in Education
Women face significant educational barriers. The study found that 28% of women had no formal schooling, compared to 21% of men. Literacy rates were also lower for women (80%) than men (87%), limiting their access to crucial agronomic information and training.
Recommendation: The SNS should use diverse communication channels, such as radio programs, videos, and infographics, to ensure that agronomic solutions reach women and youth, especially those with low literacy levels.
2. High Agricultural Involvement, Limited Access to Formal Advice
Both men and women are actively involved in agriculture, with over 90% participation rates. However, men received more advice from formal channels, while women and youth relied on informal networks like relatives and community members.
Recommendation: Increasing the presence of female extension officers and training male officers on gender-sensitive service delivery is crucial. This approach can help ensure that women and youth receive accurate and timely agronomic advice from formal sources.
3. The Digital Divide in Agricultural Advisory Services
Access to mobile phones remains a challenge, especially for women. While 74% of men-owned mobile phones, only 60% of women did. Even more stark is the disparity in smartphone ownership—8% of women-owned smartphones compared to 17% of men. As a result, digital app usage for accessing agricultural advice was minimal.
Recommendation: The SNS should not rely solely on digital tools to provide agronomic advice. Integrating alternative, low-tech methods like radio programs is vital to reach women and youth in rural areas.
4. Community Group Participation
Community groups play a vital role in the lives of rural Rwandans, with high participation rates across genders and age groups. These networks are valuable platforms for disseminating agricultural information and training.
Recommendation: The SNS can collaborate with community groups to deliver agronomic training, ensuring that information reaches all members of the household and promotes inclusive participation.
5. Unequal Ownership of Agricultural Assets
Although women and men owned agricultural assets at similar rates, land ownership remains heavily skewed in favor of men (89% vs. 75%). Female youth are particularly disadvantaged, with only 45% owning land. This lack of land ownership limits their opportunities for agricultural advancement and economic empowerment.
Recommendation: The SNS should explore strategies to increase land access for female youth or engage them in other areas of the agricultural value chain, such as marketing and processing.
6. Limited Decision-Making Power for Women
Men reported higher involvement in decision-making related to farming and financial matters. For example, 92% of men made decisions about borrowing money, compared to 79% of women. This disparity limits women’s autonomy and influence in the agricultural sector.
Recommendation: Promoting gender equality in decision-making through training and awareness programs can shift traditional household dynamics and empower women to contribute more effectively to farming and financial activities.
Key Recommendations for Empowering Women and Youth in Agriculture
1. Diversify Communication Channels
Given the lower literacy rates among women, the SNS should expand its communication methods beyond text-based formats. Radio, videos, and infographics are more accessible and can help ensure that women and youth receive valuable agronomic information. Additionally, increasing digital literacy programs will empower these groups to leverage technology in their farming activities.
2. Gender-Sensitive Extension Services
To ensure that women have equal access to agricultural advice, the SNS should prioritize the recruitment and training of female extension officers. Training male officers in gender-sensitive service delivery can also help improve outreach to women and youth.
3. Leverage Community Groups for Training and Outreach
Since participation in community organizations is high, these groups can be powerful vehicles for delivering agricultural training and advisories. The SNS should collaborate with local networks to extend its reach and ensure all household members are included in the training.
4. Improve Land Ownership and Value Chain Involvement for Female Youth
Given the limited land ownership among female youth, the SNS should investigate the impact of this barrier on productivity and explore alternative strategies. Engaging female youth in marketing, processing, and other value chain activities can provide alternative pathways to economic empowerment.
Conclusion: Toward a More Inclusive Agricultural Sector in Rwanda
The gender and youth diagnostic study sheds light on the challenges facing women and youth in Rwanda’s agricultural sector. By addressing educational gaps, increasing access to formal advice, bridging the digital divide, and promoting equitable land ownership, the SNS can create a more inclusive and productive agricultural landscape.
These efforts, combined with gender-sensitive extension services and community-based interventions, can transform agriculture in Rwanda. Empowering women and youth to participate fully in the sector will lead to greater agricultural productivity, economic growth, and social equity. The SNS-RAB Use Case exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to agronomy—one that recognizes and responds to the unique needs of all its farmers.
By implementing these recommendations, Rwanda can ensure that its agricultural future is not only productive but also inclusive and equitable for all its citizens.
Further reading
Partnership between Wikifarmer and IITA
The Role of Women in Promoting Positive Food Practices in Africa
Women Empowerment: Bamboo Industry in Rural Areas
Women’s Role in Sustainable Farming – Real-life examples
Vulnerability and Risks for Female Producers in Shea Kernel Production