ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF AGRICULTURAL INTERVENTIONS ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN IN KAYONZA DISTRICT: A CASE OF RUKARA SECTOR

Abstract

Agricultural interventions are essential for driving economic growth and improving the socio-economic status of women. This study Assessed their effectiveness on women in the Rukara Sector, Kayonza District, Rwanda, with a focus on empowerment and economic advancement. The research aimed to analyze the existing agricultural interventions focusing on women, examine their socio-economic status, assess the effect of interventions on empowerment, and identify challenges faced in agriculture. Using a mixed-method approach of qualitative and quantitative design the study gathered data from a sample of 380 women and 3 agricultural extension workers by questionnaire and interviews. Findings showed that the key existing interventions focusing on women in Rukara sector included provision of agricultural input, training programs and cooperative formations and community meetings were the primary source of information to these interventions. The study revealed that women depended mainly on agriculture for household income, with experiencing increased income due to interventions. Women's decision-making involvement improved significantly due to interventions, with a big number of women gaining new income-generating opportunities. The interventions led to diversification in agricultural practices and financial stability improvement. Empowerment outcomes were positive to women that participated in interventions, through increased knowledge and skills and experienced greater financial independence they felt more involved in decision making. Big challenges identified included, climate, limited access to credits and limited market access. The study recommended that that there should be enhancement of market access, credit access to women farmers and adopting Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices.