Analyzing the contribution of higher learning institutions on rural development in Rwanda: case of the study SPREAD-NUR and Abahuzamugambi Coffee Cooperative Maraba

List of Tables

Table 1. Marital status 22

Table 2. Occupation by Respondents 23

Table 3. Household size 24

Table 4. Coffee trees 24

Table 5. Coffee production in Kgs 24

Table 6. Income from coffee 25

Table 7. Washing System 25

Table 8. Bank Account 27

Table 9. Income Generating activities 28

Table 10. Food condition 29

Table 11. Improvement in food served 30

Table 12. Environmental threats and problems 33

Table 13. Main Sources of lighting energy 35

Table 14. Empowerment 36

Table 16. Inclusive Rural Development 36

List of Figures

Figure 1. Three dimensions of inclusive rural development 15

Figure 2. Sex distribution 21

Figure 3.Distribution of respondents by Age and sex 21

Figure 4. Marital Status of Respondents 22

Figure 5. Occupation of Respondents 23

Figure 6. Education level of respondents 23

Figure 7. Distribution of Coffee production 24

Figure 8. Coffee washing system 25

Figure 9. Use of Inorganic fertilizer and Pesticides 26

Figure 10. Contribution of SPRAED-NUR on Coffee production 26

Figure 11. Main Channel of coffee production 27

Figure 12. Income generating activities 28

Figure 13. Main source of income to start income generating projects 28

Figure 14. Food condition 29

Figure 15. Meals in take per day 29

Figure 16. Food control 30

Figure 17. Food improvement 30

Figure 18. Main source of information on basic health and HIV/AIDS 31

Figure 19. Health activities 32

Figure 20. Health situation 32

Figure 21. Environmental threat and problems 33

Figure 22. SPREAD-NUR and natural resource protection 34

Figure 23. Means of getting information 34

Figure 24. Main sources of lighting energy 35

List of abbreviations

EFA Education for All

KIE Kigali Institute of Education

KIST Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management

ERP Education for rural people

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

HESORD Higher Education System on Rural Development'

IIEP International Institute for Educational Planning

MDGs Millennium Development Goals

NGOs Non Government Organizations

NUR National University of Rwanda

SPREAD Sustainable Partnership to Enhance Rural Enterprises and Agribusiness Development

UCO University of Cordoba

UNESCO United Nations Education, Science, and Cultural Organization

Abstract

Rural areas are facing major challenges today which arise mainly from globalisation, demographic change and the rural migration of young, well-trained people. Policies for rural areas aim to contribute to recognising and making use of strengths and opportunities.

The rationale of this study is to describe how higher learning institutions is contributing to rural development in Rwanda, this target has been reached by studying empowerment approach tackles composed of six components vulnerable to the poor like basic health/HIV and AIDS, Rural Development, income generation, food security, environment, and education. These elements are assessed concerning the World Bank's four indicators: access to information, inclusion and participation, accountability, and local organizational capacity. Another insight is to disclose the opinion of the people toward the development status of rural area before and after SPREAD-NUR's assistance. Although the finding in this research showed that all six aspects are improving in terms of development, the people are not empowered in all six. Exceptions are in basic health, and environment. The common misconduct is accountability from concerned parties.

Overall, the people appreciate on SPREAD-NUR's services and perceive that the community is developing in positive direction. To improve the gaps above, it is recommended to strengthen on National University's implication in Rural Development enforcement and policy intervention. Selection of region of interest should be considered carefully while public services should be improved and standardized. The community common interest should be prioritized as well. Finally the next leaps of development should be studied and further investigated. This dissertation is a contribution of the SPREAD-NUR's knowledge on community development by empowerment approach in rural development of Rwanda.