EPRN Rwanda and UIG Plc in collaboration with the OXFAM Rwanda was undertaking a comprehensive assessment of aggregators in horticulture value chains in Rwanda with a focus to four selected districts (Rulindo, Kamonyi, Nyagatare and Nyamagabe).

This study was being carried out through the project “Sustainable Livelihoods in Horticulture Value Chains” implemented by a consortium of four implementing agencies namely COCOF, DUHAMIC – ADRI, DUTERIMBERE ONG and Oxfam as the lead applicant. The project aims at unlocking the potential of Rwanda’s horticultural value chains, ensuring sustainable supply of safe and high-quality products to local, regional and international markets. One of the project desired outcomes is to “increase access and capacity to respond to demand/supply of local, regional and international markets in targeted districts”.

The study objectives of this assessment was to :

• Carryout inventory of technical (staffing, skills/knowledge and equipment,) and financial capacity of aggregators’ enterprises in horticulture value chains in project locations.
• Mapping of aggregators and develop database of all aggregators by project covered district and sector/ and by project priority crop.
• Establish in-country market lines of project horticulture value chains crops
• Identify investment opportunities in value chains in the project districts
• Identify gaps/challenges faced by aggregators involved in horticultural commodities in Rwanda.

The methodological approach used is mixed, using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The assessment started with the collection and analysis of qualitative information from desk review. This step permitted understanding the main aspects of aggregators operating in horticulture value chains in Rwanda and permitted preparing the following steps : field survey, key informants’ interviews and focus group discussions.