Community Agricultural Projects and Poverty Reduction; A Case Study of Community-Based Watershed Management Project in Kirehe District, Rwanda

Abstract

The most important issue in the discussion of international development is still how to combat poverty. This study assessed the contribution of community agricultural projects to poverty reduction in Kirehe District, Rwanda. The study's objectives were to assess the effect of irrigation farmer's projects on poverty reduction in Kirehe District, Rwanda. Additionally, the study examined the effect of agribusiness projects on poverty reduction in Kirehe District, Rwanda. The study also determined the effect of self-employment in the agricultural sector on poverty reduction in Kirehe District, Rwanda. The literature review defined key concepts and developed a theoretical framework, empirical review, theoretical literature, and conceptual framework regarding the contribution of agricultural projects to poverty reduction in rural areas of Rwanda. Furthermore, it sought answers regarding whether the Kirehe Community-based Watershed Management Project (KWAMP) in Kirehe District, Rwanda, contributed to poverty reduction. The study shows that the KWAMP Project, through irrigation, agribusiness, and self-employment, contributes to increased agricultural productivity, income generation, job creation, and food security, leading to poverty reduction in the end. This study was based on 653 staff, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the KWAMP Project in Rwanda, with a sample size of 248. Both primary and secondary data were collected to achieve research objectives, using a questionnaire as a data collection technique. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, with data analyzed and interpreted using frequencies, percentages, and correlation analysis with the help of SPSS. Furthermore, the study established that all three agricultural projects were statistically significant in explaining poverty reduction. The study showed that irrigation farmer's project contributes to poverty reduction with a Mean=4.475 and Std=0.58, agribusiness project contributes to poverty reduction with a Mean=4.442 and Std=0.540, and self-employment in the agriculture sector also contributes to poverty reduction with a Mean=4.253 and Std=0.694, followed by increased agricultural production, food security, off-farm employment opportunities, and improving the income of rural households, as indicated by a correlation coefficient of 0.889 at a significant level of 0.01. The study recommends that the government of Rwanda, non-governmental institutions, and all stakeholders increase the practice of irrigation and agribusiness, while also exploring additional opportunities to enhance production efficiently and effectively. The study concludes that agricultural projects contribute positively to poverty reduction. Keywords: Community Agricultural Projects, Poverty Reduction, Community-Based Watershed Management Project, Rwanda.