Relationship between farmers’ heterogeneity and adoption of fertilizers and hybrid seeds in Rwanda

Abstract

The use of one size fits all model to deliver agricultural inputs to boost low crop yield is an alarming debate in Rwanda. This study was  conducted in 17 districts distributed in three provinces of Rwanda to assess the one size fits all model use efficiency and develop key farm typologies. Similarly, by assessing Farm types’ characteristics that explain the uptake of agricultural production intensification options  such as mineral fertilizers and hybrid seeds. Two-stage cluster sampling techniques were used to select randomly 2754 from 250000  families that worked with One Acre Fund and agro-dealers. Data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), a series of  regression, and cluster analysis. The results reveal three main principal component (low, medium, and high adopters) associated with  socioeconomic aspects. The cluster analysis reveals different ten clusters from 1 up to 10 equivalently farm types. The results show that  farm types 1, 2, 3, 4 are low adopters and farm types 5, 6 and 7 are medium adopters while farm types 8, 9, 10 are high adopters of inputs.  Farm types scattering between provinces are unevenly distributed (χ², p < .001). There is a significant discrepancy in adoption  behavior across provinces, particularly farm types 2, 6, 8 and 10 which are uncommon in the Eastern but common in the Western  Province. Farm type 7 is more common in the East and South regions than in the West region. Moreover, farmers' characteristics such as  irrigation and agroforestry users and agricultural training receivers, affect significantly (p=0.01) fertilizers adoption and hybrids seeds.  The current farm typologies should be applied nationally, and support programs tailored to them as one size does not fit all.