General Information

Welcome Message

Dear Students,

A very warm welcome to the Agricultural Extension and Policies module at the University of Rwanda, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences, Department of Crop Sciences.

Aim of the Module

This module bridges agricultural science, policy, and practice to equip future leaders with the knowledge and tools for shaping Rwanda’s agricultural transformation. Through theory, case studies, and field learning, it covers extension approaches, national policies, climate-smart strategies, and digital tools for effective delivery. Your active engagement is key to making the course impactful, preparing you for meaningful contributions in government, NGOs, agribusiness, or academia. Ultimately, it aims to strengthen Rwanda’s journey toward food security, sustainability, and resilience.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Critique national and regional agricultural policies (e.g., PSTA IV) to assess their impact on smallholder farmers and food security, essential for shaping evidence-based policy reforms in Rwanda.
2. Design participatory extension approaches (e.g., Farmer Field Schools, digital tools) to effectively communicate climate-resilient practices critical for improving farmer adoption and adaptive capacity.
3. Propose strategies to strengthen agricultural extension as a bridge between research, policy, and practice necessary for enhancing technology uptake and sustainable intensification.
4. Develop a policy brief or extension proposal that integrates stakeholder analysis and ethical considerations, vital for addressing real-world agricultural challenges with actionable, context-specific solutions.

Module facilitator Team & Contacts:

1.   Dr. Ir. Habimana Sylvestre, Senior Lecturer & Coordinator of Industrial & Academia Linkage
    Email: s.habimana14@ur.ac.rw / Phone: +250 788 486 031
2. Aristide Nshuti Niyokuri, Ass. Lecturer
   Email: a.niyokuri@ur.ac.rw / Phone: +250 788 455 056
3. Dr. Turamyenyirijuru Adrien,  Lecturer
   Email: a.turamyenyirijuru@ur.ac.rw / Phone: +250 788 213 807
4.  Dr. Jean D'Amour Manirere, Lecturer
   Email: jd.manirere@ur.ac.rw / Phone: +250 788 306 916

Orientation of General Resources

You will utilize:

• Government policy documents (e.g., PSTA IV, NST2, Vision 2050) and global frameworks (e.g., FAO, CAADP) for policy analysis and critique.
• Participatory extension tools (e.g., Farmer Field School manuals, digital advisory platforms, mobile-based extension apps) for practical application in field settings.
• Case study materials and stakeholder analysis frameworks to assess real-world agricultural challenges and develop evidence-based proposals.
• Recommended textbooks on agricultural extension, rural development, policy analysis, and communication for extension delivery.
• University library and approved online resources (e.g., AGORA, FAO, IFAD, World Bank publications) for research and policy review.
• Independent study and active engagement with extension practitioners are essential for mastering the module content.

Guidelines on Module Activities

• Regular attendance and active participation in lectures, case study discussions, and field-based learning sessions are required.
• All policy briefs, extension proposals, and analytical reports must follow standard academic conventions and be professionally presented.
• Some activities will involve group work, stakeholder mapping exercises, and field visits to extension programs or policy implementation sites.
• Assessment includes continuous assessment components (e.g., case study analysis, policy brief) and a final written examination.