Value Chain and the Production of Rice in Kabuye Marshland, Kigali, Rwanda

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to establish the relationship between the level of value chain and the extent of rice production. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of (i) the level of value chain (ii) the extent of rice production and (iii) the relationship between the level of value chain and the extent of rice production in Kabuye Marshland, Rwanda. The study employed the qualitative descriptive correlation design and data were collected from 107 respondents using a self administered questionnaire as the key data collection instrument. The data gathered were collated, encoded into the computer and statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel. The research revealed that the level of value chain is good while the extent of rice production is fair. There was no significant relationship between the level of value chain and the extent of rice production in Kabuye marshland, Rwanda. From the above findings, appropriate conclusions and recommendations including those for fUrther researches were made. The government should ensure adequate hill water management and provide subsidies for the refurbishment and building of stores and drying areas. The cooperative of farmer should hull, package, label and sell the rice as a stand-alone Kabuye rice brand, and they should ensure the regular maintenance of the existing public infrastructures, have a business plan and ensure good financial management of their business to increase the level of trust of members. The following two studies are suggested for future researches: (1) End-market analysis of the Kabuye Marshland Rice, and (2) Analysis of the business enabling environment in the production of rice in Kabuye Marshland.