Determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in microfinance markets in Huye district, Southern Province, Rwanda

Microfinance markets play a significant role in enhancing socio-economic development of developing countries. In Rwanda, access to microfinance  in financing agriculture is very important for future development. Despite this development, smallholder farmers still have limited access to  institutional financial services. This study assessed factors that affect smallholder farmers’ participation in microfinance markets in three sectors of  Maraba, Mukura and Ngoma in Huye district in Southern province of Rwanda. Primary data were collected using questionnaires and personal  interviews. A total of 300 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique from participants and non-participants in  microfinance markets. Data collected were analyzed through descriptive statistics and Probit regression model. Results from descriptive statistics  revealed that major sources of income were farming and business activities. Findings revealed also that each household had an average of about  five members with standard deviation of 1.901 and mean value of household land size of 1.87 ha with standards deviation of 0.758. Findings from  Probit analysis revealed that household size, education, total annual income, cooperative membership, and household savings had a positive and  significant effect on smallholder farmers’ participation in microfinance markets. Distance from microfinance institutions negatively influenced  participation in microfinance markets. Households that were located far from to the microfinance institutions were less likely to participate in  microfinance markets compared to those nearer to the institutions. This study recommends microfinance institutions in Rwanda to expand their  financial systems to enable smallholder farmers access affordable agricultural finance. Further, there is need for microfinance institutions to create  more awareness programs to help smallholder farmers get key information related to microfinance services. This is expected to influence  smallholder farmers’ willingness to apply for microcredits for agricultural development. This will in the long-run help the smallholder farmers to  adopt new practices and technologies thus increasing their agricultural production.&nbsp

Growth and yield performance of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as influenced by plant density at Nyagatare, East Rwanda

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important priority crops grown in Rwanda. It is utilized as a staple food and is consumed as  edible seeds and pods for provision of proteins. Best agronomic practices that would promote its optimum growth and maximum yield should be recommended. Plant density affects productivity of common bean and optimizing it would increase light interception by the crop andminimize competition between plants, resulting into improved crop growth rate and yield. To determine the effect of plant density on common bean growth and yield, four different plant densities: 200,000, 250,000, 300,000, 350,000 plants/ha were investigated in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. Interaction effects between plant density with these parameters: plant height, plant biomass, number of pod per plant, 100grain weight and yield were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results indicated that plant height was significantly affected by bean planting density (P<0.001), and was significantly higher in 350,000 plants ha-1 than for all other plant densities. Bean biomass was significantly affected by plant density (p=0.007) and was significantly higher in 250,000 plants ha-1. Bean planting density significantly affected the number of pods plant-1(P<0.001) and total bean yield (P<0.001). The number of pods plant-1 was highest at 249.5% using 200,000 plants ha-1 while 350,000 plants ha-1 density produced the lowest number of pods plant-1. Bean yield was significantly higher in 250,000 plants ha-1 and lowest in 350,000 plants ha-1. Hundred (100) grains weight was significantly affected by plant density (p<0.001). The highest 100 grains weight was found in 200,000 plant ha-1 while the lowest was found in 350,000 plants ha-1. These results indicate that 250,000 plants ha-1 population favors higher bean growth and grain yield. This study will provide an important basis to establish appropriate planting densities recommended for the bean crop in different agro-ecological zones of Rwanda. Key words: Common bean, plant density, plant growth, field performance, biomass, yiel