Rwanda’s Commercialization of Smallholder Agriculture: Implications for Rural Food Production and Household Food Choices

Abstract Rwanda has experienced exceptional economic growth since 2000 despite more than 60% of the predominately-agrarian population living on less $1.25 a day. Approximately 76% country’s working are engaged in agricultural production, which makes up about one-third national economy. Agriculture is also an important source foreign exchange, making 63% value Rwanda’s exports. An component household diets – food produced subsistence agriculture parcels averaging 0.6 ha faces challenge by government and private sector development to replace farming with value-creating market-oriented sector. A complex set relationships across public incentives programs encourages participation markets. Designed promote wealth, Crop Intensification Program (CIP) increased access land, inputs, extension services, markets, supply chains, etc. Wealth land dominant predictors ability participate markets extent participation. For example, smallholders producing diversity crops likely sell Within confluence competing policy objectives market forces, further research necessary understand household-level tradeoffs both producers consumers along chain.