The role of the use of improved agricultural practices in ensuring food security in Rwanda

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter gives a detailed presentation of the tools and techniques that were used to investigate the research issues in the field. It includes spelling out the area of the study and study population. It further describes the methods and techniques used in the choosing the sample size and selection instruments like questionnaire, interviews and documentation were used. It also includes data processing, analysis finally this chapter provides the back ground against which the findings and conclusions of the study were examined and appreciated regarding their reliability and validity.

This study was conducted on two categories of the citizens. They include local leaders and farmers. The questionnaire was the core tool used to collect data. However, interviews for local leaders were used to complement quantitative data. More specifically, a questionnaire were used to measure the use of agricultural inputs in their agricultural activities and local leaders were interviewed in their respective office as they have relevant knowledge on the use of agricultural inputs in the areas of concern

3.2 Sources of data

The study is based on both primary and secondary data sources of information. Primary data for this research were collected through interview guide for local leaders and distribution of questionnaire to local farmers and secondary data were obtained trough different reports, journals and distinctive official websites and other documents considered necessary for this study were also consulted

3.3 Primary data

Most of data required to answer and validate the research questions were collected from Primary source to generate the required data from the primary source, different methodological approach such as interview questions and questionnaire were employed to local farmers and local leaders of CYANIKA Sector

3.4 Secondary data

Secondary data were obtained through reading and review of published and unpublished documents, reports journals, newspapers and policy reports relevant to the study referred to. Secondary data sources for this research work were drawn from the official reports such as EDPRS I, EICV3, CFSVA, and FNSMS, NAS 2008 among the others.Other documents considered necessary for this study were also consulted

3.5 Study population12(*)

The population under study is the total population of CYANIKA Sector of BUREREA District. CYANIKA Sector is among the 17 sectors of BURERA District and this is one of 5 Districts of the Northern Province created by the organic law n°29/2005 dated on 12/23/2005 related to administrative entities of the Republic of Rwanda. The district is divided into 17 sectors. It has 69 cells, 571 villages, 339,200 habitants grouped in 64.5 square kilometers

CYANIKA Sector is located between RUGARAMA Sector and Republic of Uganda it touches Virunga national park. It is divided into 6 cells such as GASIZA, KABYINIRO, GISOVU, KAGITEGA, KAMANYANA, and NYAGAHINGA, 52 villages, 27,907 habitants with 52.6% are women and 47.4% are men all grouped in 64.5 square kilometers

* ¹² Official Wesite of Burera District, www.bureradistrict.gov.rw