The Role Of Community Based Organizations In Transferring Climate Change Information: A Case Of Eastern Province Farmers Community, Rwanda

Abstract

In Rwanda, agriculture is the main important sector of the economy and is the engine of growing the economy and its modernization. The change in precipitation, temperature, and extreme events such as drought and floods are the main characteristics of the climate. Farmers are the mostly affected by the climate change impacts. The main purpose of the study is to identify adaptation strategies that are transferred to the farmers to withstand the climate change negative impacts, and challenges that face the Community Based Organizations (CBOs). Three districts (Kirehe, Rwamagana, and Ngoma) and two active community based organizations (RWIRRI, RADO) were selected for data collection. 100 farmers that belong to the community based organizations and 40 members that do not belong to the CBOs were interviewed. The instruments for data collection were interview, questionnaires, observation, Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and document analysis. The collected data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings revealed that 88% of the respondents agreed that they have experienced the impacts of climate change. Drought was rated the top 42% as the most experienced effect. 90% of the respondent claimed that their productivity has increased after joining the CBOs and they gave supporting factors that they have enough for the market and have been able to improve their livelihoods. It concluded that the CBOs have played a role in increasing the farmers’ awareness regarding to climate change adaptation strategies. Financial means was mentioned as the most frequently barriers that face the CBOs. However, there is a lack of predicting the long-term impact of the adaptation practices to climate change. Sustainability ideas are not well established to the communities.