Community Perception and Adoption of Extreme Weather-Induced Patterns in Rwanda: A Case of Nyamagabe District, Rwanda

Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of extreme weather events—such as heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall—posing serious threats to livelihoods, ecosystems, and socio-economic stability. Rwanda, like many developing countries, has experienced notable shifts in temperature and precipitation extremes over recent decades, largely attributed to anthropogenic influences. This study examined community perceptions, impacts, and adaptive responses to extreme weather events in Nyamagabe District from 2012 to 2021, with a focus on food security, water availability, and agricultural and socio-economic wellbeing.Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected through 222 household surveys conducted in Tare and Uwinkingi sectors. The sample predominantly comprised farmers (64.4%), small business owners (17.1%), and salaried workers (14.0%), reflecting a strong dependence on natural resources. Time-series data from the Rwanda Meteorology Agency were also utilized to contextualize observed climate trends. Findings reveal significant impacts resulting from climate-induced events, including floods (p = 0.022), reduced crop yields (p = 0.019), infrastructure damage (p = 0.003), and water scarcity (p = 0.025). Psychosocial effects such as fear (p = 0.012), powerlessness (p < 0.001), and sadness (p = 0.942) were also reported. In response, communities adopted adaptive strategies, including the use of improved seeds (p < 0.001), efficient cooking technologies (p = 0.003), agroforestry and reforestation (p = 0.001), and improved or sustainable farming techniques (p = 0.106). The study indicates limited awareness of human-induced climate drivers and adaptive capacity. It recommends targeted climate education awareness campaigns, the promotion of sustainable practices, livelihood diversification, investment in climate-resilient agriculture, improved access to and utilization of meteorological data, and strengthened collaboration between government and civil society to enhance adaptive capacity. Further research should explore socio-cultural and economic barriers to the adoption of sustainable adaptation strategies. Key words: Community, Perception, Adoption, Extreme Weather Induced Pattern