Leveraging IoT-Based Smart Irrigation Systems to Enhance Rice Productivity: A Case Study of Smallholder Farmers in the Muvumba Valley Irrigation Scheme, Eastern Rwanda

This study presents the results of a needs assessment done with small-scale rice farmers in the Muvumba Valley irrigation scheme in Eastern Rwanda. The goal of the assessment was to learn about how farmers currently farm and what they need to help create a system that can help with rice production by telling them when to water and fertilize their crops. The research employed a mixed methodology. Data were collected from 325 of 2084 smallholder rice farmers in the Muvumba Valley. We made a structured questionnaire and used Kobo Toolbox to give it out. The survey asked farmers about their farming methods, how they monitor field conditions, and whether they would be open to using technology-based solutions in agriculture. We used SPSS to analyze the quantitative data and create descriptive statistics. We also used content analysis to understand farmers’ experiences and feelings better. The assessment examined various aspects of rice farming, including farmers’ knowledge of soil types and rice varieties, common farming methods, access to farming supplies, watering and fertilizing practices, and how weather changes affect rice production. All participants indicated that rainfall patterns have changed in recent years, making it harder to get water and affecting how they water their plants. The findings revealed that while rice farmers in the Muvumba Valley face several production challenges, there is also a strong interest in technologies that can help improve irrigation and fertilization management, where results show that 99.40% of the farmers indicated willingness to learn and use smart farming systems.