Objective

Enhancing the capacity and participation of small scale farmers and CSOs in decision making and governance processes related to sustainable agriculture and food security in Rwanda.

Target Groups & Beneficiaries

  • 11,040 individual farmers (120 farmers per village): by increasing knowledge and awareness of agricultural policies and strategies, existing structures for citizen engagement and the benefits of engaging.
  • 92 communities (92 selected villages): by supporting existing farmer oriented local structures (Agricultural Committees from village to District level / DAC, SAC, CAC and VAC) to deliver strong support to farmers and ensure more effective engagement with them, and by initiating Farmers' Advocacy Groups to catalyse dialogue between communities and local authorities for improved participation of farmers in policy making.
  • 30 CSOs: by enhancing their capacities and skills to conduct policy analysis, budget analysis and monitoring, research and evidence-based advocacy, as well as their capacity to engage in relevant fora for dialogue and decision making at district and national level.
  • Local authorities: by increasing their knowledge of agriculture related policies and strategies, their capacity to initiate inclusive and participatory planning processes with farmers, and their ability to carry out a critical analysis of policies and strategies with a smallholder focus.

Note: Agriculture committees are established under Twigire Muhinzi Programme and composed by local authorities already in place (DAC: 10 authorities at district, SAC: 9 authorities in sector, CAC: 7 authorities in cell and VAC: 5 authorities in village).

Key Activities

  • Capacity building workshops for smallholder farmer representatives on sustainable agriculture policies and budgeting.
  • Formation and facilitation of community-level Farmers' Advocacy Groups (FAGs).
  • Evidence-based policy dialogue meetings with district agriculture officers and national stakeholders.
  • Documentation and dissemination of best practices in smallholder farmer participation and food security.