About

Dr. Aimable Mugabo is an agricultural extension specialist and researcher focused on advancing digital agricultural systems for smallholder farmers in Africa. He earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication from Purdue University, where his research examined smallholder farmers’ motivation and utilization of community capital in the use of mobile phone–based agricultural information services in Rwanda. His study identified human capital utilization, attainment value, self-efficacy, and perceived cost as key factors associated with farmers’ mobile phone use, explaining nearly half of the variation in adoption.

His research integrates Situated Expectancy-Value Theory and the Community Capitals Framework to examine self-efficacy, attainment value, perceived cost, human capital, social capital, cultural capital, and behavior change in agricultural innovation systems. He combines applied social science, quantitative and qualitative methods, program evaluation, teaching, and field-based agricultural experience to strengthen inclusive digital extension systems.

Originally from Rwanda, he is committed to strengthening agricultural leadership, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration to support sustainable food systems globally.

Education

Ph.D., Agricultural Sciences Education and CommunicationPurdue University, 2026

M.S., Sustainable International DevelopmentBrandeis University, The Heller School, 2021

B.S., Agricultural Economics and AgribusinessUniversity of Rwanda, 2012

Background & Experience

Dr. Mugabo brings extensive international experience in agricultural development, extension education, and cross-sector partnership building. He has coordinated collaborations between Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) to integrate digital animations into Rwanda’s national agricultural extension system, and has worked with government agencies, NGOs, universities, media organizations, and community-based partners to expand access to agricultural knowledge.

His work includes training extension agents, cooperative leaders, youth organizations, and farmers; localizing agricultural education content into culturally appropriate languages and formats; and designing dissemination strategies through mobile platforms, community screenings, youth networks, and multimedia outreach. He is the founder and executive director of Shalom Rwanda Inc., a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing agricultural development, digital extension, and community capacity building, and teaches ASEC 301: Intercultural Partnerships at Purdue University.