Establishment of an avocado innovation platform to enhance smallholder farmers’ capacity in avocado production and marketing in Gisagara District, Rwanda

Abstract

Avocado is a high-value crop with increasing global and local demand due to its nutritional and health benefits. In Rwanda, despite favorable agro-climatic conditions, the production of high-quality avocados remains low for the local and international markets. Moreover, there is inadequate knowledge among farmers on avocado quality and varieties. The purpose of this study was to develop an innovation platform for building the capacity of smallholder farmers in avocado production and marketing in Gisagara District, Rwanda. The study employed participatory action research and survey research designs. A simple random sampling method was used to select 143 farmers to participate in the survey. A purposeful sampling method was used to select the four sectors in Gisagara District. The sample size per sector was allocated proportionately. A household questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions was used to collect data from household heads. Focus group discussions were held to get information from key informants including six extension staff, four input suppliers, six traders, two processors, and two exporters all of whom participated in the avocado innovation platform. The instruments were validated by the experts in the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension. Thirty farmers from Gatare Sector of Nyamagabe District were randomly selected for a pilot survey to pre-test the survey instruments and their reliability. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the instrument’s internal consistency and a reliability coefficient of 0.79 or higher was accepted. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and NVivo. Quantitative and qualitative tests were used to analyze data. Analyzed data was presented descriptively using frequency, percentages, standard deviation, and means. Thematic analysis was used in qualitative data. chi-square and T-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at α = 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that the main challenges faced by the smallholder farmers in avocado production and marketing were the lack of access to land for avocado growing, (M=4.21, SD=.72) Obtaining quality avocado seedlings (M=4.12, SD=.74), the low quality of avocado fruits (M=4.16, SD=.71), and Low prices for avocado fruits in the market (M=3.97, SD=.79). The level of knowledge and skills acquired by the participants during the AIP process was found to be significantly higher statistically (t=-13.57, df=64, p <.001). The study found that innovation platforms significantly improved farmers’ knowledge of pruning, grafting, pest management, post-harvest handling, and market access. The study recommends the continuity of the established Avocado Innovation Platform in Gisagara District and to scale it up in other districts of the country.