an assessment of the girinka (one cow per poor family) program and poverty alleviation in rwanda ...

128 Pages·2014·1.39 MB·English

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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE GIRINKA (ONE COW PER POOR FAMILY)
PROGRAM AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN RWANDA

A CASE STUDY OF BUGESERA DISTRICT

By
VINCENT KAYIGEMA
Reg. no: 212562520

Submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of
Master of Science in the School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences,
College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science,
University of KwaZulu-Natal

Supervisor: Prof Urmilla Bob
Co-Supervisor: Dr Denis Rugege
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ABSTRACT

Girinka “one cow per poor family” program has been implemented in Rwanda since 2006 for
poverty and child malnutrition reduction. Every poor family receives one dairy cow and the
program encourages zero-grazing to combat climate change. Bugesera District of Rwanda is
characterized by long dry seasons and it was highly food insecure before the introduction of
the Girinka program. However, after the initiation of the Girinka program, research showed
poverty reduction in Bugesera District. This study was carried out to assess the impact of the
Girinka program on its beneficiaries’ livelihoods and food security in the Bugesera District of
Rwanda and its potential contribution to climate resilience. Both quantitative and qualitative
research methods have been used in this study. Quantitative method was through household
surveys using questionnaires and the qualitative method was through focus group discussion
interviews. The study revealed that the Girinka program improved its beneficiaries’
livelihoods by providing manure as source of fertilizer, which resulted in an increase in crop
production and food security. It also revealed that the money from the sale of livestock
products helped the respondents to improve their livelihoods. The study also showed that
child malnutrition has been eradicated in Bugesera District due to the Girinka program.
Regarding climate resilience; the study showed that cow dung is used for biogas energy
production, which is used as fuel for cooking and lighting and this reduces deforestation and
greenhouse gases emissions in the atmosphere. Also, fodder cultivation prevents soil erosion.
However, this study revealed that the use of biogas energy by the respondents is still at a low
level. It is used by only 0.5% of the respondents. The study also revealed that 13% of the
respondents take their cows to graze on the farm, which is prohibited by the program. The
study recommends that development organizations support the Girinka program so that all
poor people in Rwanda may benefit from the program. Also, it is suggested that
environmentalists support research on the Girinka program as one of the climate resilience
strategies. Lastly, strict program follow-up is recommended to address challenges faced by
the program such inadequate veterinary services and water supply.
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PREFACE

The experimental work described in this dissertation was carried out in the School of
Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, from
February 2013 to November 2013, under the supervision of Professor Urmilla Bob.
These studies represent original work by the author and have not otherwise been submitted in
any form for any degree or diploma to any tertiary institution. Where use has been made of
the work of others it is duly acknowledged in the text.
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DECLARATION – PLAGIARISM

I, Vincent Kayigema declare that:
1. The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original
research.

2. This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other
university.

3. This thesis does not contain other persons’ data, pictures, graphs or other information,
unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons.

4. This thesis does not contain other persons’ writing, unless specifically acknowledged
as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been
quoted, then:
a. Their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them
has been referenced
b. Where their exact words have been used, then their writing has been placed in
italics and inside quotation marks, and referenced.

5. This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the
Internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis
and in the Reference sections.

Vincent Kayigema (15 March 2014)

I certify the above statement is correct.

Prof Urmilla Bob (Main supervisor) (15 March 2014)
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Foremost, I thank God for guiding me during my studies and putting around me, supportive,
encouraging, patient and loving people.
I am cordially grateful to my supervisor, Professor Urmilla Bob for firstly, her financial and
moral support. You have been there for me not only as my supervisor but also as my guardian
and I really appreciated your dedicated supervision and your patience. I heartily thank you.
My acknowledgements also go to my second supervisor Dr. Rugege Denis for helping me in
everything. You were there every time I needed you. Your kindness and patience inspired me
greatly and your special behavior changed my life. I sincerely thank you.
My sincere thanks are further extended to my beloved aunt, Dr. Mukankomeje Rose, for her
unwavering love and support. I thank you for your warm encouragement and endless
patience. You are my greatest supporter.
Finally, I would like to thank whoever, in one way or another contributed to the success of
this dissertation, particularly Miss Suveshnee Munien for being there for me every time I
needed her.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................ ii
PREFACE .............................................................................................................................................. iii
DECLARATION – PLAGIARISM ....................................................................................................... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... v
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................. ix
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................... xi
LIST OF ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................................ xii
CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Introduction and background ........................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Motivation for the study ................................................................................................................ 3
1.3 Research aim, objectives and questions ........................................................................................ 5
1.3.1 Aim ............................................................................................................................ 5
1.3.2 Objectives .................................................................................................................. 6
1.3.3 Key research questions .............................................................................................. 6
1.4 Chapter outline .............................................................................................................................. 7
1.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................................... 8
LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 8
2.2 Definition of food security ............................................................................................................ 8
2.3 Global food security .................................................................................................................... 10
2.4 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) ................................................................................ 14
2.5 Role of natural resources for food security ................................................................ 19
2.6 Sustainable agriculture and food security ................................................................................... 20
2.7 Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security................................................................... 22
2.8 Climate resilience strategies and food security ........................................................................... 25
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2.9 Rural development in Rwanda .................................................................................................... 28
2.10 Girinka program for poverty alleviation ................................................................................... 36
2.11 The value of cows for food security in rural communities ....................................................... 40
2.12 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 43
CHAPTER THREE-- ............................................................................................................................ 44
METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................... 44
3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 44
3.2 Background information of Rwanda ........................................................................................... 44
3.2.1 Background information of Bugesera District......................................................... 46
3.3 Research methodology ................................................................................................................ 48
3.4 Research design .......................................................................................................................... 49
3.5 Data collection strategy ............................................................................................................... 49
3.5.1 Construction of questionnaire .................................................................................. 50
3.6 Sampling ..................................................................................................................................... 51
3.7 Data analysis ............................................................................................................................... 53
3.8 Limitation of the data collection process .................................................................................... 53
3.9 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 54
CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................................................. 55
DATA ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................................... 55
4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 55
4.2 Demographic Profile of Respondents ......................................................................................... 55
4.3 Household economics and sustainable livelihoods ..................................................................... 59
4. 4 Cow practices ............................................................................................................................. 69
4.5 Girinka Program Services .......................................................................................................... 76
4.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 87
CHAPTER FIVE .................................................................................................................................. 88
CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................................... 88
5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 88
5.2 Girinka program beneficiaries’ livelihoods before and after the program .................................. 88
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5.2.1 Human Capital ......................................................................................................... 88
5.2.2 Natural Capital ......................................................................................................... 89
5.2.3 Physical capital ........................................................................................................ 90
5.2.4 Financial capital ....................................................................................................... 90
5.2.5 Social or institutional capital ................................................................................... 91
5.2.6 Summary in relation to the research objectives ....................................................... 91
5.3 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 94
5.4 Concluding remarks .................................................................................................................... 96
REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 97
APPENDICES .................................................................................................................................... 107
Appendix A: Household questionnaire ........................................................................................ 1077
Appendix B: Focus group discussion guiding questions ................................................................ 114
Appendix C: Consent letter ............................................................................................................. 115
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LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 Global Hunger Index 10
Table 2.2 Resources and assets in livelihood generation 16
Table 2.3 Distribution of Girinka cows per year per District 37
Table 3.1 Techniques used to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data 50
Table 4.1 Gender of the respondents 55
Table 4.2 Age of the respondents 56
Table 4.3 Marital status of respondents 57
Table 4.4 Educational level of respondents 57
Table 4.5 Gender Distribution in the household and the household size 58
Table 4.6 Number of years they have been in the village 59
Table 4.7 Area of land cultivated before and after getting the cow 59
Table 4.8 Percentage of land cultivated and reasons for not cultivating all land 60
Table 4.9 Extension of land for cultivation and reasons for extension 61
Table 4.10 Crops grown before and after getting the cow 62
Table 4.11 Sources of income in the household 63
Table 4.12 Coping mechanisms in times of drought with changes in water 64
Table 4.13 Coping mechanisms in times of drought with changes in vegetation 65
Table 4.14 Coping mechanisms in times of drought with changes in pasture 65
Table 4.15 Coping strategies for food during drought period before getting the cow 66
Table 4.16 Sources of energy for cooking 67
Table 4.17 Sources of energy for lighting 67
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Table 4.18 Cow dung practices 69
Table 4.19 Livestock own before and after getting the cow 70
Table 4.20 Average number of livestock owned before and after getting the cow 71
Table 4.21 Adequacy of land for grazing and cultivation 72
Table 4.22 Training and regulations regarding livestock 73
Table 4.23 Farming practices 74
Table 4.24 General information on Girinka program cows 76
Table 4.25 Milk production and its utilization 78
Table 4.26 Cow feeding, medicating and watering 80
Table 4.27 Manure production and management 82
Table 4.28 Advantages of the Girinka program 84
Table 4.29 Disadvantages of the Girinka program 85
Table 4.30 Income generating activities before and after Girinka program 86