Imihigo process poorly explained implies low rate farmers’ participation
The low rate farmers’ participation in agriculture related imihigo (district performance contract), results from process poorly explained, by local leaders to beneficiaries. This was raised in dialog on social accountability, held at Hotel Umubano Marasa on September 5, 2018, with theme “collective action to improve imihigo in agriculture, citizen’s voice matters”.
In October 2017, Transparency International Rwanda effected baseline survey, about farmers’ participation in agriculture related imihigo, in Kayonza and Nyanza districts. The result revealed that in a whole process, farmers’ participation varies between 15.8% and 23.4% in planning, 15.3% in evaluation and surprisingly 68% in implementation.
“Process is not well explained to farmers at village level and their consultation is poor.” said Juvenal Musine, the program Manager of Imbaraga, an association that brings together farmers in Kayonza district. “Farmers at village level are not consulted in planning or given feedback about imihigo; when comes its implementation they take part in it innocently.”
When researchers ask their part, farmers respond that they don’t participate in imihigo; which justify low rate in planning and evaluation but high rate in implementation. Musine added.
There is a gap in farmers’ awareness
According to Fred Musime, in charge of education program at never again Rwanda, consultation in imihigo process is poorly done. “The main reason is the budgeting cycle, that starts in October while implementation of imihigo started in July, which is practically impossible to implement without budget.” Said Musime.
“When the budget is out at last minute, local leaders find themselves cornered. Hence, they don’t have time to consult citizen; to their best try, they use participation by representation, with apparently representatives that didn’t get time to consult ones they represent. To those consultation meetings, they go without package of what is needed to be put in imihigo.” Added Musime.
Musime advises the local government to use current channels in agricultural based system, to reach out to many farmers so that they can participate in planning of imihigo. The same way can also be used to reach to them with feedback.
Government sees otherwise
Mr. Thacien Yankulije is social affairs director at MINALOC (Ministry of Local government); he doesn’t agree with the idea of running out of time, he insists that local leaders are given enough time. “From planning to evaluation, imihigo process is well organized, and local leaders have enough time to meet beneficiaries, and discuss about what they need to be done.” Said Mr. Yankulije;
“The result is obvious; nowadays we receive many requests from citizens and left with challenge of explaining why they are not all implemented.” Mr. Yankulije added. But he agrees that feedback is still a long way to go; he says that they will continue to remind and advise local leaders, to use current community channels to consult citizens, and give feedback about imihigo.