2.11. Rwandan rural
sector
The Rwandan economy is dominated by agricultural activities
and 90% of the population is based in rural areas. Due to this land scarcity,
the primary sector is characterized by old plantations and the stagnation or
decrease of the production. The majority of workers in this sector are
independent (76, 81%) and family helpers (15,22%) with no required
qualifications. The remunerated employment concerns only less than 6% of those
involved in agriculture and stock farming. The salaries are not motivating
especially to young graduates who chose to go for remunerated jobs in the
modern sector. On top of this, the difficulty of access to land and loans
should also pointed out as it considerably hampers the chances of integration
in this sector and limits access to technological innovations.
It is an illusion to think that the modern sector alone will
solve the problem of unemployment in the short term.
The size of the rural labor force justifies the establishment
of rural employment alternative programmes. It is therefore imperative that
diversified strategies of developing traditional employment should be
initiated.
2.11.1. Problems of Rwandan
rural areas
It is in rural area that malnutrition prevails and where there
is the greatest poverty. This means that development of Rwandan rural areas is
confronted with serious problems. In the government policy on agriculture, food
self-sufficiency is one of the top priorities. Nevertheless, this food
self-sufficiency is under strong constraints and handicaps, particularly from
the massive rural population growth which consequently leads to a progressive
reduction of suitable land for cultivation. This problem has been aggravated
mainly by the mountainous nature of the country and by inappropriate management
methods. Excessive division of exploitable land constitutes a challenge to
maintaining the fragile food equilibrium and again makes the problem of food
self-sufficiency more complicated (Jean MARARA: 1).
| 
