CAVM FACULTIES AND SCHOOLS

Department of Rural Development and Agribusiness

BACKGROUND OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRIBUSINESS

The Department of Rural Development and Agribusiness is one of the four departments making up the faculty of Agriculture and Rural Development at CAVM.

It was official started on 27^th February 2006 and the department has been fully functional since its inception.

Presently, there are students in two academic systems namely CBL and CAMS.

We have 4^th and 5^th years in day and evening programs as well as level 1, level2and level4, in day program. Finally, we have level 3 in evening program.

Currently, there are 237 students in CBL and 221 students in CAMS.

The Department of RDA is mainly based in Rubilizi Campus: 4th and 5^th programs namely day and evening.in addition, in Busogo, we have level 1 and level 2 in day program as well as 5^th year evening program.

The Degree program was started officially in May 2007 with the former students of ISAE who completed their Studies in the previous years in other related agricultural domains.

MISSION

The Department of Rural Development and Agribusiness has a mission of producing professionals that are capable of handling today’s complex rural development problems in food production, processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products and the manufacture of farm machinery,equipment,and supplies.

VISION

Producing the most skilled graduates in the fields of Rural Development and Agribusiness who will contribute to the country’s development

MOTIVATION

The previous educational thrust emphasized a lot on production of both plant and livestock products at the expense of marketing and related institutional issues.

It was therefore expedient to focus on systems that improve rural livelihoods through incorporating relevant Rural Development and Agribusiness courses into the curriculum.

OBJECTIVES

•     The main Objective of the Department is to contribute to the enhancement of rural development in Rwanda and Africa in General.
•       The Specific Objectives are to:

·         Train competent and enough agricultural technicians and bioengineers for handling the crucial aspects of adding value to production in rural environment;

·         Organize short training modules in bee keeping, dairy production, post-harvest cottage activities and agribusiness for farming communities;

·         Participate in different training programs relating to development;

·         Promote joint research activities in different domains.

RESEARCH DOMAINS

Research areas in the department by different academic staff include the following:

•   Strategies for improved Livelihoods and Sustainable rural development;
• Sustainable natural resource management and its implication on development;
•  Enhancing and promoting strategies for rural economic transformation;
•   Mainstreaming gender and HIV/AIDS Issues into current development programs,Entrepreneurship,Market development and promotion of effective institutions towards rural development ;
• Assessing impact of Agricultural policies on rural development; Economics of Agricultural extension.

TEACHING PROGRAM(s)

The department of rural development and agribusiness currently operates in the evening program with private students only.

Classes normally begin at 5.00 pm up to 9.00 pm from Monday to Friday, and Saturday to Sunday from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.