Expanding Integrated Pest Management Capacity: Rwanda Case Study

Abstract

PurposeRwanda is developing its agricultural capacity to meet the needs of national food security while addressing food demands and requirements of regional and international markets. The Rwanda Horticultural Export Standards Initiative was developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in collaboration with Michigan State University to strengthen Rwanda's ability to meet both public and private standards for exports of food and agricultural products through capacity building.Design/Methodology/ApproachA workshop was held in Kigali to help expand Rwanda pest management specialists' understanding of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in relation to local and international specialty crop markets. During the workshop, pre and post-assessments were conducted to evaluate the IPM knowledge and information delivery systems.FindingsAlthough the trainees were the country's top pest management specialists, there was a significant increase (35.7%) in understanding of IPM approaches for specialty crops. There were little or no pest management services available to support specialty crop producers. Researchers were ranked most knowledgeable but the least accessible to specialty crop producers. People involved in information dissemination were most accessible but least knowledgeable. Institutions' structure and function hindered IPM information flow.Practical implicationThere is need to invest in specialty crops IPM research and develop a strong private sector to provide IPM services to farmers.Originality/ValueIPM stakeholders, including policy-makers, need to address the identified constraints to improve information flow among public and private sectors partners for enhancing exports of specialty crops.