Effect of Cassava Brown Streak Disease Control Measures on Cassava Production in Ruhango and Bugesera Districts of Rwanda

Abstract

Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) continues to spread and its effect on productivity remains high and yield losses of 50- 100 % have been reported in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is little knowledge about the level of adoption of CBSD control measures and its influence on cassava productivity in Rwanda. Thus, this study investigated the influence of CBSD control measures on production of cassava in Bugesera and Ruhango Districts. The sampling unit was the farm household. A total of 152 households were randomly sampled in Bugesera and Ruhango districts where cassava demonstration plots are established. The sampling frame was the list of households in each village. A multi stage sampling technique was used. A structured questionnaire was used for individual interviews. Descriptive data analysis was complemented by logistic regression analysis and propensity score matching. SPSS and STATA softwares were used for the data analysis. The results revealed that 68% among the farmers who adopted control measures were aware of them oppositely to 45% who did not adopt the farmers were aware of Cassava Brown Streak Disease. The key factors that influenced adoption of CBSD control measures was farm size, farmer’s experience, access to credit, period of plantation and access to demonstration plot since their level of significance were less that five percent (Pvalue<5%).The results of propensity score matching model showed that the average treatment on treated (ATT) across all three matching logarithms that is nearest neighbor ,kernel and radius matching, the mean difference in yield between adopters compared to their control counter parts was 8935.7,8930.1,8913.2 kgs/ha which was statistically significant at t-stat above 2 at 5% level of significance. In order to increase adoption of CBSD control measures policy makers and implementers in Rwanda should continuously support farmers to understand and apply CBSD control measures in agriculture production systems through sensitization and mobilization of farmers for enhanced cassava production.