Analyzing the Operational Dynamics of Rwanda's Twigire Muhinzi Self-Sustaining Agricultural Extension System

Book excerpt: Rwanda's agriculture is central for creating growth, jobs, exports and livelihoods necessary to transform the economy to knowledge based middle-income economy. Agriculture remains the backbone for sustained economic growth, providing better quality of life and living standards for the population in Rwanda. About 96 percent of rural households rely directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihoods. Increasing agricultural productivity is the key to improve income and decreasing poverty. The existence of good climatic condition, efficient local and domestic markets and the provision of an enabling environment by the Government of Rwanda, may act as impetus for improving agricultural production in the country. The Rwanda's Vision 2050 in Agriculture aims at increasing agricultural productivity, income and improving livelihood and underscores the importance of agro-processing and technology intensive Agriculture with a commercial focus. The recently enacted Government NST1, the National Agriculture Policy 2018, and PSTA 4 recognize the importance of agriculture extension in bridging the gap between current productivity and potential productivity. The National Agriculture Policy specifically highlights the importance of the interface with farmers, mainly through the agricultural extension service, as a key priority to be addressed. The Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation TV provides a clear orientation toward transformation of the agricultural sector via. strengthening the commercialization of crops and animal resource value chains. Significant contributions from the private sector (including farmers) are envisioned both in terms of funds and implementing capacity. Moreover, the participation of Youth and Women will be required to achieve an inclusive extension system. Tn addition, the strategy asserts that more pluralistic partnerships with both public and private universities, farmer organizations and the private sector in synergy to produce innovations in science, technology, extension, policy and social learning to meet Rwanda's agricultural goals.