Rwanda is known as a country of a thousand hills, in East Africa, covering an area of over 26,338 square kilometres. It is densely populated and known for the forest-dependent mountain gorillas, among many other wildlife species. Agriculture is a pillar of the country’s economy, accounting for 90% of employment and 33% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The heavy reliance on agriculture, alongside deforestation, steep slopes and unsustainable land management, have led to soil erosion and land degradation, recognized as major problems contributing to declining productivity and soil fertility. In addition, the occurrence of extreme natural events such as floods and drought in Eastern province is increasing, threatening food security, biodiversity and livelihoods. To tackle these challenges, appropriate agroforestry technologies have been introduced. The aim is to control soil erosion and restore soil fertility on farms, fight malnutrition, and boost incomes of smallholder farmers.
Agroforestry is one of the interventions recognized by the country to achieve its target of restoring 2 million hectares of deforested and degraded land by 2030, and build its climate resilience per the National Agroforestry Strategy and Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy respectively.
World Agroforestry (ICRAF) in Rwanda
ICRAF opened an office in Rwanda in 1988, starting out by understanding land use systems in Rwanda, propose options by context, capacity building and investing in the training of undergraduate and graduate students, of researchers, government extension officers, civil society and beneficiary farmers.
ICRAF has carried out extensive research in the country, aiming to develop adaptive agroforestry technologies with nearly 50 multi-purpose fast growing tree species suitable for the different agro-ecological zones tested and promoted. In addition, ICRAF has provided technical assistance to smallholder farmers, teaching them to apply agroforestry for better outcomes. For instance, shade trees on coffee farms introduced as low-cost solution to improve coffee productivity and incomes for smallholder farmers.
ICRAF has also played a pivotal role in the development of the Rwanda Irrigation Master Plan (IMP). The plan provides the country with a planning and decision-making tool for rational exploitation of both its surface and groundwater resources for sustainable food production.
Finally, ICRAF has focused on developing high quality germplasm to support development of forestry and agroforestry in Rwanda, on-farm trees management to maximize both benefits of trees and crops, harnessing trees on farms for improving biodiversity and soil fertility, tree-based value chains, in order to increase opportunities for women and youth.
