AGRICULTURAL EXPORT PRODUCTS AND FARMERS SOCIO-ECONOMIC WELFARE IN RWANDA A CASE OF DUKUNDE UMURIMO COOPERATIVE OF FARMERS IN RULINDO DISTRICT

Abstract

The study conducted were titled: Agriculture for Export to the Farmers Socio-economic Wellbeing in Rwanda, a case of Dukunde Umurimo Cooperative. The study objectives were to identify the extent to which agricultural export products contribute to the farmers' social well-being, to determine the extent to which agricultural export products contribute to the farmers' economic growth, to identify the challenges facing agricultural export products farmers in their daily activities, and to come up with effective strategies to overcome the challenges that hinder the agricultural exports products farmers. In conducting the study, a mixture of qualitative and quantitative research designed were employed and stratified sampling technique were used in selecting the sample. Questionnaire, interview and documentation were used in data collection while statistical data analysis were used in analyzing the data. The study finds that agriculture for export improved the socio-economic wellbeing of the farmers by improving the social cohesion, improved the education, raising the income and creating more employment opportunities. The study also finds that lack of sufficient infrastructure, lack of technology and equipment as the challenges faced the agriculture for export. The study recommends that the training on the export and international trade and brings in more partners should be initiated.