Land use consolidation and socio-economic livelihoods of rural farmers:
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Date
2012-10
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Economics and Management
Abstract
This study on Land Use Consolidation and Socio-Economic Livelihoods of Farmers
carried out in Cyuve Sector, Musanze District sought to analyse the contribution of Land
Use Consolidation towards the socio-economic livelihoods of farmers in Rwanda The
study was guided by the following specific objectives: to assess the crops grown before
and after land use consolidation; to determine the yield and profitability of crops grown
before and after land use consolidation; to identity the problems faced by farmers in the
implementation of the land use consolidation and to evaluate the extent and measure used
to train farmers on land use consolidation.
The review of literature showed that Land Use Consolidation was used as one of the
strategies of the government of Rwanda \vith the aim of giving farmers the large plots of
land with one productive crop rather than scattered, small parcels of land with different
non productive crops. This strategy aims to increase of agricultural productivity and to
improve the livelihoods of farmers.
The study used quantitative, correlational and cross-sectional survey approaches. The
target population involves the farmers of Cyuve sector. Questionnaires were administered
to the head of family or to others members of family who participate in agricultural
activities. The data collected from the households of the f.'U111ers was analyzed and
presented in tables and figures using Microsoft Excel. The researcher analysed the data
collected basing on the number of respondents using Friedman as Chi-squaire analytical
tools. The results of the study showed that in Cyuve sector the farmers cultivate three
crops: maize, Irish potatoes and beans under land use consolidation instead of multi-crops
cultivated before. The profitability of crops in Cyuve sector was marginally positive after
land use consolidation. However, the crop gross margin was negative before land use
consolidation. The problems faced by farmers in the implementation of the land use
consolidation relate to the challenges of delay in payment. As far as the ehient and
measure used to train farmers on land use consolidation is concerned, the results revealed
that there are few farmers trained in land use consolidation implementation. Basing on the
findings, the study recommends that farmers should change mind set and involve
themselves in modern agriculture and abandon the forn1er habit of mixing many crops on
a small plot of land, local leaders should avail seeds of more profitable crops, government
and agriculture partners should invest more effort in training fam1ers in modem
agriculture in general and in land use consolidation in particular.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Administration and Management of Kampala International University
Keywords
Land use consolidation, Socio-economic livelihoods, Rural farmers, Rwanda