Among 469 smallholder farms assessed across five agroecological zones in Rwanda, more than 90 percent recorded relatively low levels of agroecological integration. Using FAO’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE), the study examines how different transition profiles relate to productivity, income, food security, social inclusion, soil health and biodiversity. The analysis identifies five farm profiles, ranging from socially advanced microfarms to highly vulnerable conventional systems, highlighting the ecological, social and institutional constraints shaping agroecological transition.

Higher levels of agroecological integration were associated with stronger outcomes across several sustainability dimensions. More agroecological farms tended to show greater food security, improved soil health and agrobiodiversity, stronger land tenure and empowerment indicators, and lower dependence on purchased seeds and other external inputs. Diversification, recycling and social values emerged as important factors linked to multiple outcomes. However, farm size and access to resources also influenced results, particularly income and market participation, and the study does not interpret these associations as evidence of simple causal relationships.

Drawing on the identified constraints, the authors propose seven areas for investment: ecological intensification, organic fertilizers and bioinputs, farmer-managed seed systems, livestock integration, knowledge co-creation, youth and gender inclusion, and participatory governance. The framework is intended to help translate farm-level agroecological assessments into investment programmes that can be planned, financed and monitored.