AGRIBUSINESS, LIVESTOCK, AQUACULTURE, AGRICULTURE, AND MARKET SYSTEMS
1. Conducting A Comprehensive Feasibility Study for The Value Addition and Processing of Chili and Pineapple Produce Among the EU Horticulture Project Beneficiaries
Client: African Evangelic Enterprises (AEE), funded by EU
AEE-Rwanda commissioned RCID to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the Value Addition and Processing of Chili and Pineapple Produce among EU Horticulture Project Beneficiaries. The study analyzed and hereby presents the current situation, gaps, possible and relevant value addition and processing needed and related aspects.
Objectives of the Project
- Conduct inquiry on the quantity of chili and pineapple production and profitability in the project districts of operation: Gasabo, Bugesera, Rwamagana and Kayonza.
- Identify challenges experienced during the post-harvest handling and market in the same districts.
- Conduct inquiry about the demand for chili and pineapple added value and/or processed versus ordinary products.
- Identify value addition and processing relevant technologies for chili and pineapple value addition and processing.
- Analyze the need and feasibility for value addition and processing for the project beneficiaries.
- Formulate recommendations on the technologies to integrate for the value addition and processing of chili and pineapple among the project beneficiaries.
2. Develop a Business Model of Agriculture Value Chain and Market Systems Strengthening in Rwanda
Client: CARE International with support from Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR)
Through the support from Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), a consortium made of CARE International Rwanda and DUHAMIC ADRI is implementing the “Promote Financial Inclusion for Smallholder Farmers (Women) organized into VSL groups project (PROFIFA)” in 6 districts of Rwanda from 2017 to May 2020. The project has identified some agriculture market failure including limited access for women smallholder farmer to formal financial services, inadequate financial products, insufficient trust among the actors across the value chain, poor incentive structure for large off-takers for contract farming, small landholding farms and low production to stimulate agri-financing and lack of diversity in the sector, particularly in the rural areas. The project supported on equipping members of village saving and loan (VSL) groups, involved in agriculture with advanced financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills, facilitate formal financial linkage of the targeted VSL groups to formal financial institutions in order to increase smallholder farmers’ access to appropriate and affordable financial products and build the capacity of farmers in term of modern farming techniques for them to increase their market driven productivity, farmers promoters received agricultural good practices (GAP) training and facilitate the linking of smallholder farmers to the market through interface with off takers and facilitate trust building between farmers and buyers.RCID has been contracted by CARE International in developing an “Inclusive Agriculture Value Chain Market Driven Business Model” to support PROFIFA Project for two priority value chains (Maize and horticulture) in the Rwamagana, Gakenke and Huye Districts.
Main Tasks
- ● Rapid assessment of Maize and Horticulture values chains to give preliminary assessment study by identifying existing service providers in the pilot target project intervention zones ( 3 districts of Rwanda and advise on how the project can leverage opportunities to improve the business performance of SHF and sustained business relations with other chain actors.
- ● Mapping different chain actors involved in the supply chains, their business characteristics and working relations among actors as well as existing services to support the businesses along the supply chains;
- ● Develop the model to strength business relationships between Farmer Groups and other value chain actors by establishing/ improving (existing) Agribusiness Forums in the value chains supported,
- ● Coaching technical and management of Farmer Groups by providing them Business Development Services (BDS) in some selected topics and enhance smallholder farmers’ businesses and negotiation skills.
3.Assignment name :Improving Market Systems for Agriculture in Rwanda (IMSAR) Evaluation Service Provider (ESP)
Client : LTS international, UK, co-financed by Department for International Development (DFID)
Improving Market Systems in Agriculture for Rwanda (IMSAR) is a 4-years programme that aims to increase the income of poor households operating in targeted agricultural markets through adopting a market systems approach to attract investment and stimulate inclusive growth. IMSAR is a GBP £23.5m programme funded by the UK government through the Department for International Development (DFID) and implemented by Palladium International. The expected impact is to increase the incomes of poor households in targeted agricultural market systems. The programme uses a combination of market development services, technical assistance and a short to medium term grants finance facility to design and implement innovative approaches to increasing incomes of the rural poor and catalyzing inclusive growth. The programme identified market constraints such as limited access to finance and technology, limited or poor storage, or lack of access to inputs such as fertilizers and develop initiatives to address them. The funds are helping farmers to accelerate the commercialization of agriculture in Rwanda, in line with the Government’s Fourth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA4). RCID Ltd has been subcontracted by LTS International, a UK Company toprovide Performance Evaluation of the program for a period of 5 years.
Key Responsibilities
- ● Evaluate the entails process evaluation of the programme through an ‘impact-oriented’ assessment of the programme’s effects on inter alia the poor, cross cutting issues (nutrition, climate change and gender) and agricultural markets;
- ● Evaluate the programme coherence (internal and external) by assessing and demonstrating synergies realised across and between IMSAR components, as well as with other ongoing programmes and activities of other actors (where relevant);
- ● Assess the IMSAR logframe, including the suitability of indicators and the level of ambition of specific targets compared with other benchmarks.
4. Assignment name :Training of Evacuees from Libya in Financial Management
Client: Word Vision Rwanda
Client: World Vision Rwanda
The Rwanda Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA) on the implementation of the Graduation Model in Rwanda, in order to support the graduation of vulnerable communities out of poverty. In this regard, World Vision has been involved in implementing the WASH, Resilience, Livelihood, and Education Services for Evacuees in Gashora Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) project.
In this context, World Vision Rwanda has engaged the Regional Research Centre for the Integrated Development (RCID) to train evacuees from Libya hosted in Gashora ETM Center on in financial management in July and August 2020 in Bugesera district, Eastern province of Rwanda.
A project team comprising officials from WVR and the trainers from RCID Ltd, an organizational research and corporate training private firm, deliberated the scope of the training as well as the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the training on financial management for evacuees from Libya located in ETM Center.
The objective of this training was to empower evacuees from Libya based in Gashora ETM Center on how to identify their financial opportunities and on how to manage their finances in order to improve their living conditions through being involved in self-employment activities and contributing to their access to finances. On another hand, the financial management knowledge received will help evacuees hosted in Gashora ETM Center to gain knowledge, which will allow them to have access to different financial services at the local, national and even at the international levels for the improvement of their well-being.
At the end of the training participants were able to:
- • To understand the keys concepts of financial Management;
- • To design and develop some principal elements in business management such as balance sheet, family and business budget, income statement, cash flow & cashbook.
- • To identify financial institutions, informal financial services and Services offered by financial institutions
5. Assignment name: Strengthen and coaching Arabica Coffee Value Chain Cooperative in Rwanda.
Client: African Development Consultant (ADC)
RCID, in collaboration with ADC, provided technical assistance to coffee cooperatives, supporting business management, marketing, and governance training for increased competitiveness and sustainability.
6. Production and distribution of training materials for agriculture frontline extensions agents in Rwanda
Client: Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB)
Since July 2012, the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), through its Crop Production and Food Security Department, has collaborated with One Acre Fund-TUBURA to enhance the Farmer-to-Farmer Extension System. This initiative focuses on building the capacity of Farmer Promoters, who act as agricultural extension agents in their respective villages. These agents play a vital role in mobilizing farmers for seasonal activities, training them on appropriate agricultural practices, and promoting the use of fertilizers to boost productivity and income. The main objective is to implement an efficient extension system that transfers essential agricultural practices and technologies to small-scale and subsistence farmers, thereby contributing to increased food security and economic stability.
RCID was contracted by One Acre Fund from 2015 to 2017 to support this initiative by distributing seeds and fertilizers to Sector Agronomists, Cell Social Economic Development Officers, Farmer Promoters, and Farmer Field School members. RCID also prepared and distributed extension materials, including booklets, checklists, and guides. Additionally, the organization supplied quality cassava cuttings, fall armyworm guides, and protective equipment to frontline extension workers. These efforts aimed to ensure that farmers were well-equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to implement improved farming practices.
7. Conduct the baseline, Mid-Term and final evaluation Assessment of impact ofUzima Chicken ltd in Rwanda.
Client: UK LTS International and NIRAS Consulting Group
RCID Ltd was contracted by UK LTS International and NIRAS Consulting Group from 2018 to 2022 to conduct a comprehensive baseline, midterm, and final impact evaluation of Uzima Chicken Ltd in Rwanda. Supported by DFID and AgDevCo, this project aimed to assess the impact of Uzima Chicken on its sales agents and the smallholder farmers who purchase SASSO breed chickens. The evaluation aims to assess the number of customers benefiting from the sales, document challenges, lessons learned, and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the project’s outcomes.
These assessments primarily employed quantitative data collection, supplemented by case studies developed from key informant interviews. The study included a literature review and a survey of 195 Uzima sales agents across all 30 districts of Rwanda, with a focus on capturing the real-world challenges and successes experienced by the agents. The findings from this evaluation are instrumental for both AgDevCo, and Uzima Chicken. The study also highlighted the empowerment of female sales agents through access to training and resources, ensuring gender-inclusive growth.
Key recommendations include expanding training programs, improving support for sales agents, and enhancing monitoring systems to better track progress and outcomes. Additionally, fostering stronger linkages between sales agents and smallholder farmers is crucial for maximizing the developmental impact of Uzima Chicken’s operations.
poultry farming
poultry farming
poultry farming
poultry farming
8. Profiling and mapping of investments supported by the Rwanda dairy development project.
Client: Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP) founded by IFAD
The Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP), spanning from 2016 to June 2023, was implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) with co-financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Rwanda. The project targeted 12 districts across Rwanda’s four provinces, focusing on enhancing the dairy value chain to contribute to pro-poor national economic growth and improve food security, nutrition, and the livelihoods of resource-poor rural households.
In 2023, RCID partnered with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB) to conduct a comprehensive mapping and profiling of RDDP-supported investments across these districts. This extensive exercise involved profiling and mapping 1,233 investments, which included infrastructure such as Milk Collection Centers (MCCs), Milk Cooling Plants (MCPs), nitrogen plants, boreholes, and various dairy-related institutions, cooperatives, and groups.
RCID utilized advanced geospatial tools, including ArcGIS Survey123 and ArcGIS Online, to create an offline geodatabase and an interactive online dashboard. This platform provides detailed attribute information about each dairy infrastructure, including the title, beneficiary, utilization, and maintenance status. The mapping project facilitated a clear understanding of the spatial distribution of dairy investments and their impact, ultimately supporting the continued growth and sustainability of Rwanda’s dairy sector.
