Pathways of crop and livestock intensification for Green Revolution in Africa: evidence from smallholder farmers in Rwanda
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sussex
Department Name: University of Sussex Business School
Abstract
The proposed research engages with the debates about intensification and commercialisation of agriculture and the transformation of livelihoods of subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. The increasing and competing demands for food, water, and energy make agricultural intensification imperative for Africa. While intensification and commercialisation of both crop and livestock production are at the top of the agricultural agenda, the sustainable intensification agenda does not yet provide a clear answer as to how smallholder farmers can meet multiple livelihood demands sustainably.
The main findings of my PhD thesis demonstrated that the lack of connection between the long-standing policy objective of agricultural intensification and modernisation agenda of the Government and the rural realities faced by Rwandan farmers, critically undermined the alternative smallholder production systems and their potential development pathways. Therefore, the difference in the level of ambition for agricultural intensification and transformation and the ability of many smallholders to engage with this agenda, poses a significant challenge for policy efforts to develop and improve the rural economy and thus the livelihoods of millions of small-scale producers.
Building on from this research, I propose to use the 'knowledge systems approach' that is spearheaded by the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) to unpack the knowledge systems for sustainable development in East Africa. The knowledge systems approach is useful in revealing 'the interconnections between diverse actors, sectors, capabilities, processes and institutional arrangements that shape the way knowledge drives different societal outcomes' (Atela et al. 2019).
The promotion of green and business innovation as the solution to the agriculture sector in Rwanda is a case in point. The current government's policy agenda raises the question about how the knowledge production of the green revolution for Africa is framed, driven, exchanged and ultimately negotiated by state and non-state actors in the formal and informal sectors. Therefore, one of the critical activities of this fellowship is mapping the knowledge production landscape through stakeholder and informant consultation and roundtable dialogue. Once the types of knowledge production and users' linkages are identified, we will be able to understand the knowledge flows and trajectories that lead to particular decision-making processes. This finding, in turn, will help to locate bottlenecks within the flows of the knowledge system and also, to propose potential ways to close the gaps between policy objectives and rural realities of agricultural transformation of small-scale farming systems.
The main findings of my PhD thesis demonstrated that the lack of connection between the long-standing policy objective of agricultural intensification and modernisation agenda of the Government and the rural realities faced by Rwandan farmers, critically undermined the alternative smallholder production systems and their potential development pathways. Therefore, the difference in the level of ambition for agricultural intensification and transformation and the ability of many smallholders to engage with this agenda, poses a significant challenge for policy efforts to develop and improve the rural economy and thus the livelihoods of millions of small-scale producers.
Building on from this research, I propose to use the 'knowledge systems approach' that is spearheaded by the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) to unpack the knowledge systems for sustainable development in East Africa. The knowledge systems approach is useful in revealing 'the interconnections between diverse actors, sectors, capabilities, processes and institutional arrangements that shape the way knowledge drives different societal outcomes' (Atela et al. 2019).
The promotion of green and business innovation as the solution to the agriculture sector in Rwanda is a case in point. The current government's policy agenda raises the question about how the knowledge production of the green revolution for Africa is framed, driven, exchanged and ultimately negotiated by state and non-state actors in the formal and informal sectors. Therefore, one of the critical activities of this fellowship is mapping the knowledge production landscape through stakeholder and informant consultation and roundtable dialogue. Once the types of knowledge production and users' linkages are identified, we will be able to understand the knowledge flows and trajectories that lead to particular decision-making processes. This finding, in turn, will help to locate bottlenecks within the flows of the knowledge system and also, to propose potential ways to close the gaps between policy objectives and rural realities of agricultural transformation of small-scale farming systems.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Sung Kyu Kim (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Pasgaard M
(2022)
Agrarian modernization through "ideal agricultural subjects": a lost cause for smallholders in Rwanda?
in Journal of Political Ecology
Pasgaard Maya
(2022)
Agrarian modernization through "ideal agricultural subjects": a lost cause for smallholders in Rwanda?
in JOURNAL OF POLITICAL ECOLOGY
| Description | We reported on detailed research fieldwork conducted in 2015 in two communities - rural and peri-urban villages - in the district of Rwamagana in the Eastern Province of Rwanda to explore how the integration between crop and livestock productions contributed to the agricultural intensification of smallholder farmers. A mixed-methods approach consisted of reviewing historical agriculture policy archives from 1962 to 2017, household surveys (n=169) and in-depth qualitative interviews (n=47). Data collected were used to assess how mixed farming can be both commercially viable and sustainable in meeting the livelihood needs of smallholder families. We found evidence of intensification through crop-livestock integration amongst the farmers who had better access to productive assets and resources. But, economically more vulnerable farmers faced considerable difficulties in keeping up with the competing and growing demands of intensive crop farming and home consumption. This is the leading reason why they maintained low - but highly diversified - production. Moreover, we found overlapping patterns of integration amongst smallholders but found varying strategies and practices reflecting farmers' differential capabilities and livelihood priorities in Rwamagana. |
| Exploitation Route | Our research critically examined the underpinning assumptions of the high input-based development programmes and highlighted the alternative solutions that are more applicable and inclusive to a broader range of smallholder producers in the rural and peri-urban settings. In doing so, this study called for a more inclusive developmental policy and a programmatic approach to acknowledge alternative pathways of intensification of crop-livestock production that may be more relevant for small-scale farmers. It is in these areas - where farmers are already investing and engaging - that the government can step in to reduce risks, provide a targeted safety net and social protection programme to the vulnerable groups, and expand market networks through better physical infrastructure and more accessible information and technology. This understanding of highly differentiated rural and peri-urban areas would help policymakers and researchers to devise better aimed and context-relevant interventions for smallholder farmers. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Communities and Social Services/Policy Government Democracy and Justice |
| URL | https://www.sussex.ac.uk/business-school/research/centres-projects/green-revolution |
| Description | Research and academic partnership in developing a new MSc in Circular Agro-Economy in Rwanda |
| Organisation | Kenyatta University |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Through the previous research partners in Rwanda, the PI (SKK) was invited to participate as an external collaborator (no budget allocations, only in-kind) in the project "Advancing sustainable economic development in Rwanda through circular agro-economy" (Rwanda-CAE), a joint partnership between the University of Rwanda (UR) and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU.) This project aims to help achieve Rwanda's transition to a circular economy in two ways: (1) Implementing a new Master of Science in Circular Agro-Economy (CAE) at the University of Rwanda, and (2) Conducting a scoping study for circular agricultural practices in Rwanda. Applied field research will explore relevant circular practices in Rwanda and assess the potential for circular business models. The PI has contributed to designing and writing scoping study plans with colleagues from Rwanda, Kenya and Germany, and recently submitted a conference abstract as the leading author to ISPIM, the annual Innovation and Circular Economy Conference (https://www.ispim-innovation-conference.com/). |
| Collaborator Contribution | N/A |
| Impact | No outputs or outcomes to report yet. Besides peer-reviewed academic publications and conference presentations, we also aim to produce practical case studies for teaching that explore real-life problems and scenarios faced by policymakers, business managers and local producers. These case studies will be used in the new MSc Circular Agro-Economy, which will be presented in a pedagogically suitable format and shared with the UR teaching teams of the relevant MSc CAE modules. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Research and academic partnership in developing a new MSc in Circular Agro-Economy in Rwanda |
| Organisation | Neu Ulm University of Applied Sciences |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Through the previous research partners in Rwanda, the PI (SKK) was invited to participate as an external collaborator (no budget allocations, only in-kind) in the project "Advancing sustainable economic development in Rwanda through circular agro-economy" (Rwanda-CAE), a joint partnership between the University of Rwanda (UR) and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU.) This project aims to help achieve Rwanda's transition to a circular economy in two ways: (1) Implementing a new Master of Science in Circular Agro-Economy (CAE) at the University of Rwanda, and (2) Conducting a scoping study for circular agricultural practices in Rwanda. Applied field research will explore relevant circular practices in Rwanda and assess the potential for circular business models. The PI has contributed to designing and writing scoping study plans with colleagues from Rwanda, Kenya and Germany, and recently submitted a conference abstract as the leading author to ISPIM, the annual Innovation and Circular Economy Conference (https://www.ispim-innovation-conference.com/). |
| Collaborator Contribution | N/A |
| Impact | No outputs or outcomes to report yet. Besides peer-reviewed academic publications and conference presentations, we also aim to produce practical case studies for teaching that explore real-life problems and scenarios faced by policymakers, business managers and local producers. These case studies will be used in the new MSc Circular Agro-Economy, which will be presented in a pedagogically suitable format and shared with the UR teaching teams of the relevant MSc CAE modules. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Research and academic partnership in developing a new MSc in Circular Agro-Economy in Rwanda |
| Organisation | University of Rwanda |
| Country | Rwanda |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Through the previous research partners in Rwanda, the PI (SKK) was invited to participate as an external collaborator (no budget allocations, only in-kind) in the project "Advancing sustainable economic development in Rwanda through circular agro-economy" (Rwanda-CAE), a joint partnership between the University of Rwanda (UR) and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU.) This project aims to help achieve Rwanda's transition to a circular economy in two ways: (1) Implementing a new Master of Science in Circular Agro-Economy (CAE) at the University of Rwanda, and (2) Conducting a scoping study for circular agricultural practices in Rwanda. Applied field research will explore relevant circular practices in Rwanda and assess the potential for circular business models. The PI has contributed to designing and writing scoping study plans with colleagues from Rwanda, Kenya and Germany, and recently submitted a conference abstract as the leading author to ISPIM, the annual Innovation and Circular Economy Conference (https://www.ispim-innovation-conference.com/). |
| Collaborator Contribution | N/A |
| Impact | No outputs or outcomes to report yet. Besides peer-reviewed academic publications and conference presentations, we also aim to produce practical case studies for teaching that explore real-life problems and scenarios faced by policymakers, business managers and local producers. These case studies will be used in the new MSc Circular Agro-Economy, which will be presented in a pedagogically suitable format and shared with the UR teaching teams of the relevant MSc CAE modules. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | stakeholder consultation and policy brief |
| Organisation | IMBARAGA Farmers Organization |
| Country | Rwanda |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) in Rwanda is a leading independent, non-profit research and policy analysis think tank in Rwanda. Their annual research conference gathers many policy analysts, academic researchers, and development programme practitioners to debate Rwanda's current development issues. The initial plan was to attend the conference and use the opportunity to meet various attendees and conduct a consultation and roundtable dialogue on the green revolution technology and innovation issues. However, the conference scheduled for March was postponed due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Nevertheless, I managed to organise and meet (either in person or virtually) 17 key informants and officials from the ministry of agriculture (n=5), international non-governmental organisations (7), think-tank (1), and private (1) and academic institutions (3). |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners from IPAR and the University of Rwanda were instrumental in organising the meetings and introductions to higher-level officials. Their extensive and closely linked professional network helped me access stakeholders involved in Rwanda's agricultural policy debate. The partnership with IMBARAGA Farmers Organization allowed me to connect with the country-level manager who oversees over 27,000 farmers-members. I received invaluable feedback and comments on our research findings, which informed and improved our policy brief. |
| Impact | The Rwandan partners and I produced a policy brief (see URL above) informed by the resulting meetings and discussions. More importantly, this opportunity also helped me broaden my networks with Rwandan partners to develop a further research plan and two funding proposals in the following months in 2020. We are still actively engaging for potential research collaborations and upcoming funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | stakeholder consultation and policy brief |
| Organisation | Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (Rwanda) |
| Country | Rwanda |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) in Rwanda is a leading independent, non-profit research and policy analysis think tank in Rwanda. Their annual research conference gathers many policy analysts, academic researchers, and development programme practitioners to debate Rwanda's current development issues. The initial plan was to attend the conference and use the opportunity to meet various attendees and conduct a consultation and roundtable dialogue on the green revolution technology and innovation issues. However, the conference scheduled for March was postponed due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Nevertheless, I managed to organise and meet (either in person or virtually) 17 key informants and officials from the ministry of agriculture (n=5), international non-governmental organisations (7), think-tank (1), and private (1) and academic institutions (3). |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners from IPAR and the University of Rwanda were instrumental in organising the meetings and introductions to higher-level officials. Their extensive and closely linked professional network helped me access stakeholders involved in Rwanda's agricultural policy debate. The partnership with IMBARAGA Farmers Organization allowed me to connect with the country-level manager who oversees over 27,000 farmers-members. I received invaluable feedback and comments on our research findings, which informed and improved our policy brief. |
| Impact | The Rwandan partners and I produced a policy brief (see URL above) informed by the resulting meetings and discussions. More importantly, this opportunity also helped me broaden my networks with Rwandan partners to develop a further research plan and two funding proposals in the following months in 2020. We are still actively engaging for potential research collaborations and upcoming funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | stakeholder consultation and policy brief |
| Organisation | University of Rwanda |
| Country | Rwanda |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) in Rwanda is a leading independent, non-profit research and policy analysis think tank in Rwanda. Their annual research conference gathers many policy analysts, academic researchers, and development programme practitioners to debate Rwanda's current development issues. The initial plan was to attend the conference and use the opportunity to meet various attendees and conduct a consultation and roundtable dialogue on the green revolution technology and innovation issues. However, the conference scheduled for March was postponed due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Nevertheless, I managed to organise and meet (either in person or virtually) 17 key informants and officials from the ministry of agriculture (n=5), international non-governmental organisations (7), think-tank (1), and private (1) and academic institutions (3). |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners from IPAR and the University of Rwanda were instrumental in organising the meetings and introductions to higher-level officials. Their extensive and closely linked professional network helped me access stakeholders involved in Rwanda's agricultural policy debate. The partnership with IMBARAGA Farmers Organization allowed me to connect with the country-level manager who oversees over 27,000 farmers-members. I received invaluable feedback and comments on our research findings, which informed and improved our policy brief. |
| Impact | The Rwandan partners and I produced a policy brief (see URL above) informed by the resulting meetings and discussions. More importantly, this opportunity also helped me broaden my networks with Rwandan partners to develop a further research plan and two funding proposals in the following months in 2020. We are still actively engaging for potential research collaborations and upcoming funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | The Rwamagana district annual agricultural season planning (24 Feb 2020) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to the Rwamagana district's annual agricultural season planning in 24 Feb 2020, and I gave a brief presentation of the research findings and recommendations. The annual agriculture production evaluation and planning are among the most important meetings for agronomists and district officials. Chaired by the district mayor and vice-mayor, over 100 extension agents and administrative officials attended to discuss the upcoming season's production plans. After my presentation, I also handed in printed copies of the research summary and recommendation to the mayor and chief agronomist. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Village meetings and discussions (7-8 March 2020) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | There has been much discussion about science, technology, and innovation (STI) for agriculture within the academic and policy circles and the smallholder farmers' role in this plan. However, more often than not, farmers have not been widely included in this discussion and planning. There is a real concern that agricultural development opportunities will not reach their intended actors: the farmers themselves, who need to participate in this process actively. Therefore, I revisited the two villages where I conducted the PhD fieldwork in the Rwamagana district and shared the previous research findings with farmers. We had over a hundred farmers and their local authorities participating in the meeting and discussion in each village. The main objective was to open the space for the farmers' perspective to be raised so that their views can be known to the local authorities who plan and implement agriculture development initiatives. I received positive feedback on the visit and the discussions that farmers led during the meetings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |