Effect of Institutional Factors on the Adoption of Small Scale Irrigation System in Rwanda

Uwitonze Theogene, David Mwehia Mburu, Patrick Mulyungi, Ntaganira Eric

Abstract: Small scale irrigation has contributed significantly to poverty alleviation, food security, and improving the quality of life for rural populations however, the adoption of small scale irrigation remains low. The study aims to analyze the institutional factors on the adoption of small scale irrigation in Rwanda. A survey of 317 households was carried out in Nasho sector of Kirehe district in Rwanda. Multi stage sampling techniques was applied in Logit Model to the data collected. The study findings concluded that distance to markets, access to extension services, credits accessibility were the key institutional factors affecting the adoption of small scale irrigation in Rwanda. The study recommends that in order to increase adoption of small scale irrigation in Rwanda, policy makers and implementers should strengthen current polices of linking farmers to financial services, increase extension work ratio to farmers and availing rural roads to help farmers access markets

Keywords: Irrigation, adoption, logit model, Rwanda