Use Of Agroforestry Practices In Soil And Water Conservation A Case Study Of Kageyo Sector, Gicumbi District, Rwanda

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS viii

LIST OFTABLES ix

LIST OF PLATES

LIST OF APPENDIX

ABSTRACT

CHAPTERONE

INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Background of the study................................ 1

1.1. Statement of the problem........................... 3

1.2 Objectives of the study............................. 4

1.2.1 General objective 4

1.2.2 Specific objectives 4

1.3 Research questions 4

1.4 Scope of the study 4

1.4.1 Geographical Scope

1.4.2 Content Scope 4

1.4.3 Time Scope

1.5 Justification of the study 5

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CHAPTER TWO .6

LITERATURE REVIEW 6

2.0. Introduction 6

2.1 Introduction/definition of the concept 6

2.2 Historical back ground to agro forestry practices in Rwanda 7

2.3 Agro forestry systems and practices 8

2.3.1 Classification of agro forestry systems and practices 8

2.3.2 Agro forestry practices common in the tropics 14

2.4. Adoption of agro forestry practices 15

2.5. Soil degradation 15

2.5.1. Soil erosion 15

2.5.2. Loss of soil fertility 16

2.5.3. Soil conservation 16

2.6. Roles of Agroforestry in soil and water conservation 16

CHAPTERTHREE 23

RESEARCH METHODOLOGy 23

3.0 Introduction 23

3.1 Sample selection and samp!e size 23

3.2 study area 23

3.2.1 Location of the study area 23

3.2.2 Climate and relief of Kageyo sector 24

3.2.2.1 Economic activities 24

3.3 Research design 25

3.4 Data collection methods 25

3.4.1 Questionnaire 25

3.4.2lnterview schedule 26

3.4.3 Observation and photography 26

3.5 Data collection 26

3.6 Data analysis 26

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CHAPTER FOUR .27

PRESENTATION OF THE RESEARCH FINDINGS 27

4.0 Introduction 27

4.1 Household characteristics 27

4.1.1 Age categories of the household heads 27

4.1.2 Education status of the household heads 28

4.2 Family income 28

4.3 Land size and its utilization 29

4.3.1 Means of land acquisition 29

4.3.2 Land utilization 30

4.3.3 Land location with respect to the hill 30

4.3.5 Motivation for growing trees and constraints 33

4.3.6 Soil erosion problems and solutions as cited by the respondents 34

4.3.7 Means of maintaining soil fertility 35

4.3.8 Suggestions to ensure promotion of agroforestry 36

CHAPTER FIVE 37

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 37

5.0 Introduction 37

5.1 Conclusions 37

5.2 Challenges faced 37

5.3 Recommendations 38

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Appendix 1:A map of Rwanda showing administrative boundaries 41

APPENDIX 2: Questionnaire 42

VII

ABSTRACT A study on use of agroforestry practices in soil and water conservation was concentrated in

Kageyo sector and the researcher visited all the 5 cells of; Gihembe, Horezo, Kabuga, Muhondo

and Nyamiyaga. The objectives that guided the study included; to determine how farmers are

using agro forestry practices; to identify the factors prohibiting agro forestry practices and to find

out the suggestions and reconmiendations on how to promote agro forestry practices in soil and

water conservation in the study area.

The methods used for data collection were questioimaires, oral interviews, observation and

photography. To analyze data, the researcher used tables, pie charts, figures, as well as computer

applications for data input and analysis. The researcher used a simple random sampling

technique, where she was very careful not to repeat or replace any representative sample or

respondents and the total of about 40 respondents were interviewed.

The study found out that the major benefits of agroforestry are; improving soil and water quality,

restoring degraded forests, attenuate flooding effect, mitigation of climate change and reducing

deforestation of natural forest among others. Small land sizes, lack of technical support and

capital, lack of information by farmers on agroforesty strategies, lack of tree seed supply and

market are the main constraints of practicing agroforestry .Rwandan environment has been

impacted negatively by agricultural activities, but majority of the farmers in Kageyo Sector were

young (below 50 years).This may have had a positive influence on adoption of agroforestry

practices. And since recommendations have been put forward, the government, Non

Govermnental Organizations and the local community are looked upon to come together and find out the best means to practice agroforestry