1. MULTISTAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
LINKING VALUE CHAIN ACTORS IN LKPLS, THE GATARAGA IP, RWANDA
Josaphat Mugabo, Sospeter Nyamwaro, Robin Buruchara, Moses Tenywa, Wanjiku Chiuri, Bernard
Musana, Francoise Murokunkwe, Pascal Habyamugisha, Claver Nyaboyisonga, and Birasa Nyamulinda
Introduction Government Policy
& Regulatory framework
Multi-stakeholder partnerships are based on Innovation Platforms (IPs)
that are a major vehicle of driving Integrated Agricultural Research for Public sector: -infrastructure and
communication
Development (IAR4D) approaches that are being undertaken under the AKIS / RD (Agricultural
Sub-Saharan Africa Challenge Programme (SSACP). In Lake Kivu Pilot knowledge for Rural
Developement)
Learning Site (LKPKS) of SSACP there are 12 IPs based on different
entry value chains (including potatoes, beans, bananas, cassava, milk,
chillis, passion fruits, & organic pineapples). Gataraga in Rwanda is one Private sector: Agricultural research
systems (ISAR )
Agricultural education
system (NUR, MAK,
of the 12 IPs in the LKPLS. Value chain, market chains,
supply chains
IP— Farmer ISAE)
Gataraga Innovation Platform
Agricultural extension sys-
Agro-processors (Urwibutso), export- tem (Imbaraga, Gvt)
Essentially an IP, like Gataraga, is a multi-stakeholder problem identification ers, producer organisations, input
suppliers, credit agencies (Bank Popu-
and solving forum based at the grass-root level. The forum brings together laire Du Rwanda; RIM (Réseau Inter
diocésain de Microfinance) - Rwanda),
multi-stakeholders for visioning, planning and implementing the application Land agencies
of new ideas, practices, and services, which arise through interaction, crea-
tivity, insight, and empowerment, with the aim of improving the existing situa-
tion / conditions around a common interest / challenge and thereby bringing Donors / Partners / Political stability
(FARA, CIAT, Local Gov’ts)
Background of Gataraga IP
Gataraga IP comprises of 10 villages in Musanze District of Northern Rwanda. Its main focus had been the pro-
duction of Irish potatoes for both food security and occasional marketing. However, the production has been de-
clining due to low yields and difficulties in marketing the crop. Although research was undertaken in the past to
address these constraints, little improvement in production and marketing has been realised. Few research out-
puts were adopted and consequently yields continued to decline. But after IAR4D interventions, things have been
moving towards right directions. The IP has been linked to markets and this has stimulated increased production
and improved post harvest handling for increased shelf life of harvested potatoes and quality improvement.
Improving productivity
Options for rapid multiplication and planting of market demanded Kinigi potato variety have been assessed and
positive selection is now practised in the fields, where healthy disease free seedlings are selected for further
propagation amongst the local farmers. Meanwhile, ISAR with support from International Potato Centre (CIP) has
established modern facilities for tissue culture and rapid multiplication of seed potatoes. The Government has
also increased budgetary allocation for introduction and multiplication of Kinigi potato variety.
Participatory assessment of alternative soil fertility-enhancing options are being tested by farmers from each of
the village groups. This includes the use of manure from livestock with fodder grown along contours on field
boundaries for feeding to livestock. Five learning centres have been established providing opportunity to learn
improved potato production techniques using four improved potato varieties, organic and inorganic fertilizers, cor-
rect spacing and pest management. In general potato production before IAR4D interventions used to be about
6MTs/ha and now farmers are producing about 24MTs/ha. But there are some other farmers who are currently
producing up to as high as 30MTs/ha.
Improving postharvest handling and marketing
Local niche markets have been identified at hotels and a supermarkets in Kigali and other
towns like Ruhengeri. These require potatoes to be cleaned, sorted and graded, and in the
case of the supermarket packaged in 5kg containers. In addition to Imbaraga potato wash-
ing station, a few more stations have been established. One of the new washing stations is
owned and operated by a lady farmer and trader, and an IP member.
Markets
Farmers were encouraged to form farmer groups that could address production and marketing constraints through testing new
production technologies, and enhancing collective bargaining for acquiring inputs and marketing activities. Farmers have now
formed 24 groups each with 20 men and women with each group being represented in the IP.
In the marketing of potatoes, a trader buys from the farmer groups and delivers in the niche markets. One of the hotels in Ki-
gali, for example, Hotel Chez Lando purchases potatoes from Gataraga farmers instead of the local market and are more than
happy with the quality and quantities supplied. They have further suggested that more value can be added to potatoes in the
form of chips and crisps and are encouraging partners to consider growing potato varieties for such options.
Table 1: Market dev elopment and productivity enhancement innovations for Irish potatoes in Gataraga IP, Rwanda
Country and IP Interface challenge Partners Innovations Outcomes
Rwanda, Gata- Market-Technology-Policy Farmers (famers groups), Private sector Potato washing, sorting, grading, Improved quality, increased
raga Irish Potato interface of low price, poor (niche markets, input dealers, microfi- and packaging in woven sacks and yield, shelf life, access to niche
IP harvest & postharvest han- nance, SACCO), Policy makers (local bags made out of banana fibres; market and increased prices.
dling procedures authorities), Researchers (ISAR, ISAE, Facilitating access to planting
Farmers receive RFrw20-30/kg
NUR, CIAT), extension workers material of market preferred variety
(Imbaraga) (Kinigi); Dehaulming before above going market prices
harvest
The future
The IP is now established and accepted at the District level. It organizes well attended regular meetings with women being represented on the IP execu-
tive and steering committees. The IP is viewed by farmers as a centre for bringing together experts to address farmer problems. Farmers see themselves
as local researchers insisting that they test new technologies. They view themselves as equals among others, with agriculture being developed as a com-
mercial profitable business. Farmers have expressed a desire for exchange visits – to visit and learn from other IPs and importantly for the IP concept to
be used in other sectors, outside agriculture. The way forward now is to continue gathering more information to confirm the current successes and plan to
scale up and out to national levels.
CIAT Africa, Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) | P.O. Box 6247, Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256 414 567670/567259 | Fax: +256 414 567635 Email: r.buruchara@cgiar.org; ciatUganda@cgiar.org