Climatic Change and Performance of Agro-Based Projects of Rwanda Co-operative Agricultural Growth
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n10.001Keywords:
Agro-Based Projects, Climate Change and PerformanceAbstract
Climate change posed major challenges to agriculture, significantly affecting the performance of agro-based projects in Rwanda. The Rwanda Cooperative Agricultural Growth (RCAG) initiative was particularly impacted by shifting precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and seasonal climate variability, which threatened productivity, sustainability, and profitability. This study assessed how climate variability influenced the performance of agro-based projects under RCAG. Specifically, it examined the effects of precipitation shifts, rising temperatures, and seasonal variability on agricultural productivity and project outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data. The study adopted descriptive and correlational research designs. The target population consisted of 500 cooperative farmers, extension officers, and policymakers, from which a sample of 222 respondents was drawn using Taro Yamane’s formula. Regression analysis showed that climatic factors collectively explained 84.3% of the variance in agro-based project performance (R² = 0.843, p < 0.001). The study concluded that climate change significantly affected the performance of agro-based projects in Rwanda, with precipitation shifts being the most influential factor. It recommended that resilience strategies should integrate government policies, affordable technological innovations, and farmer awareness programs. The results provided valuable insights to support evidence-based policymaking, strengthen climate adaptation strategies, and enhance the sustainability of cooperative-led agricultural projects in Rwanda.
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