Agricultural Reform in Rwanda: Authoritarianism, Markets and Zones of Governance

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“International observers have lauded Rwanda as an example of an African country taking control of its own development trajectory, and as a market-friendly destination for investment. A key component of this narrative has been an ambitious programme of agricultural reform, involving private firms, NGOs, and international charities. The Rwandan government claims these reforms have been a resounding success, tripling crop yields and helping to combat hunger. Chris Huggins argues, however, that Rwanda’s liberal, modernising image sits poorly with the regime’s continuing authoritarian tendencies. Featuring in-depth case studies of the effects of agricultural reform in three different regions, and drawing on hundreds of interviews, Huggins shows that the much-vaunted ‘liberalization’ of agriculture has in fact depended on the coercion of Rwandan farmers, and in many cases has had a detrimental impact on their livelihoods. With the Kagame regime now coming under increasing international scrutiny, this work provides a timely look at the impact of ‘market friendly authoritarianism’ in contemporary Africa, making essential reading for students and scholars of development in the fields of sociology, anthropology, political science, and economics.” Cover About the author Title Page Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction Book Structure 1. Contemporary Agricultural Reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa Historical Overview of Major Agricultural Reform Trends in Africa Post-Colonial Agricultural Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa The Asian Green Revolution African Agricultural Policies in the Era of Structural Adjustment Contemporary Agricultural Reform in Africa The Political Economy of Contemporary Agricultural Policymaking in Africa Conclusion 2. Theorizing Governance in Post-Genocide Rwanda The Authoritarian High Modernism Concept and Its Limitations Forms of Power: Discipline, Sovereignty and Governmentality ‘Global Governmentality’ Conclusion 3. An Overview of the Political Economy of Agricultural Reform in Rwanda Internal Drivers of Change in the Rwandan Agricultural Sector Agricultural Policy Development The Goals of the Agricultural Reform The Crop Intensification Programme The Emergence of New Zones of Governance in Rwanda Domestic and Foreign Corporate Investment in the Agricultural Sector Civil Society Roles: ‘Mobilization’ and Co-Optation Methodological Approaches Sampling Methods Conclusion 4. Rwanda’s Engagement with International Aid and Foreign Direct Investment The Agricultural Reform in Rwanda and International Governmentality Assessing ‘Success’ The Government of Rwanda and International Governmentality Conclusion 5. Systems of Governmentality and Discipline in Rwanda The Contemporary Administrative System ‘Eradicating Genocide Ideology’ and ‘Promoting National Unity and Reconciliation’ in Rwanda Creating an Ideal Farmer: Governmentality in the Agricultural Sector The Agricultural Extension System and Governmentality Conclusion 6. Agricultural Cooperatives in Musanze District Implementation of the National Agricultural Policy in Musanze District Case Study: A ‘Policy Entrepreneur’, Conflict and Primitive Accumulation in an Agricultural Cooperative Conclusions 7. Pyrethrum Production in Northern Province The Creation of Pyrethrum Cooperatives Donor and Private Sector Intervention: The Pyramid Project The Mechanics of Coerced Production The Economics of Pyrethrum Production State Discourse on Pyrethrum Production Tensions between Governmental and Disciplinary Technologies Farmer Perceptions of the Pyrethrum Production and Marketing System Conclusion 8. Maize Production and ‘Fugitive Farmers’ in Kirehe District The Agricultural Reform in Kirehe Government Policy Enforcement Farmer Perspectives and Responses Conclusion Conclusion Markets Global Governmentality Zones of Governance Differentiated Impacts of the Reform ‘Model Farmers’ and ‘Fugitive Farmers’ Implications for the ‘Green Revolution for Africa’ and the Agrarian Question Notes References Index