USAID DEC
Soil degradation was attributed to intensive farming practices and lack of conservation tillage, while limited market access hindered farmers' ability to sell their produce at competitive prices.
3 pages

Abstract
The training programs emphasized the importance of crop rotation, composting, and conservation tillage to improve soil fertility and reduce erosion. The plots also served as a platform for farmers to share knowledge and best practices. This may be attributed to the fact that women-headed households tend to have more limited access to resources and credit, making the adoption of new practices more challenging. However, the initiative's focus on women's empowerment and capacity building helped to overcome these barriers. The evaluation also showed that the initiative's impact was more pronounced in communities with higher levels of poverty and food insecurity. This suggests that the initiative's focus on the most vulnerable populations helped to address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity in Rwanda. The initiative's success can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the effective implementation of the three key interventions, the strong engagement of local communities, and the focus on women's empowerment and capacity building. The initiative's impact is expected to be sustained in the long term, as the skills and knowledge acquired by farmers and community members are expected to continue to improve agricultural productivity and food security in Rwanda.
Classification
USAID DEC