Women’s Participation in Livestock Management and Value Chains: Implications for Rural Household Income in NYAGATARE District, Rwanda

ABSTRACT: This study assesses the contribution of women’s engagement in livestock management and value chains to rural household income in Nyagatare District, Rwanda (2019–2025). The objectives were to identify women’s roles in Livestock management and Value Chains management, determine the extent to which their participation enhances household income, and examine the moderating effect of support mechanisms on this relationship. Using a mixed-methods approach, questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions data were collected from 400 respondents representing varied socio-economic backgrounds. Findings show that rural women play a central, multidimensional role across the entire livestock value chain. Over 92% of respondents personally participate in livestock management, with 64.3% involved in feeding, watering, and breeding. Women also dominate value addition, with 84.5% processing products such as milk, meat, and manure into yogurt, cheese, dried meat, and organic fertilizer, while 85.5% engage in marketing through cooperatives, local markets, and home sales. These roles demonstrate women’s strong contribution to value addition and commercialization, significantly enhancing household economic stability. Regression results reveal a strong positive relationship between women’s engagement and household income (R² = 0.613, p < 0.001), and when support mechanisms, including government programs, training, credit, veterinary care, and infrastructure, are integrated, explanatory power rises markedly (R² = 0.983), underscoring the importance of enabling systems. Despite these contributions, several constraints limit women’s full potential: financial challenges affect 36.8%, limited market information affects 18%, cultural barriers affect 7.8%, and 27.3% have restricted or no access to credit. Additionally, 20% cite inadequate follow-up training and resource limitations. Overall, the study concludes that women are key drivers of livestock production, processing, and marketing in Nyagatare, substantially improving household income, food security, and welfare. Strengthening support mechanisms and addressing persistent constraints, especially credit access, land rights, market linkages, and continuous training, is essential for sustaining gains and promoting inclusive rural development.

KEY WORDS: Livestock management, Value Chain, Household Income, Rural Development, Support Mechanisms, Nyagatare District, Economic Resilience