Acknowledgement

This baseline study was carried out in consultation of various sources of information in different institutions. The entire assignment was supervised by the ACORD Rwanda country office, specifically, thanks to the Country Director – Mr. Francois Munyentwari for promptly and efficiently organising and facilitating the entire exercise.

This baseline study would not have been possible without the contributions of the Environmental & Climate Change Specialist in Minagri, Mr Bisangwa Innocent, who provided the required guidance from the very beginning with the terms of reference, the inception report and the subsequent steps leading to the validation of the findings. We gratefully ackonowledge his inputs to the entire process.

The execution of different phases of the study needed engagement and cooperation of different institutions and individuals. In this regard, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of Rwanda, Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), Rwanda agriculture Board (RAB), National Institute of statistics of Rwanda (NISR) and other stakeholders from Public, Private and Civil society provided valuable inputs and comments to the baseline study report.

We also wish to express my appreciation to the local Government authorities (Districts and Sectors) for facilitating the data collection in sampled households and to form Focus Group Discussions at Sector level.

Finally, the technical contribution of Regional Research Centre for Integrated Development (RCID Ltd) Consultancy Team is highly acknowledged, specifically in providing high quality technical support needed in planning, data collection and analysis, and documenting this report. The apt efforts by Mr Jules Kazungu, Mr. Phillippe Rumenera, Mr. John Rwirahira, Mr.Edward Kayitare, Mr Nicolas Uwitoze, Mr.Alexis Mutebutsi and Ms. Lucy Mwangi enabled the entire study to be conducted in an efficient manner.

We thankfully note that this baseline study was co-funded by AFD and CCFD –Terre Solidaire  

FINDINGS PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• Background and Introduction
• The scope of the study
  • Objectives
  • Methodology
• Findings from desktop review and results from household survey
• Discussions of results (new AEPs to be introduced in CIP and existing AEPs to improve on efficiency
  • Agro ecological practices for improved household nutrition security
  • Proposed new AEPs indicators of MINAGRI and DDS Imihigo
  • Integrating agro-ecological practices into the encrypted reporting information system
  • Responsibility and Coordination of different departments of different ministries
  • Higher level of advocacy towards institutionalization
  • Conclusions & Recommendations

Executive summary

The current global agri-food system is unable to feed a growing population in fair and sustainable ways. Researchers, policy-makers and NGOs grapple with dilemmas of providing affordable food for rural and urban populations, combating public health problems of obesity and malnutrition. Arable land degradation, water contamination, groundwater depletion, deforestation and land cover change, health effects of exposure to pesticides, biodiversity loss; all of these problems are attributed to conventional food production practices associated with market transactions. The challenge is finding the right combination of practices to apply agro-ecological principles and to maximize performances in food production.

Rwanda like many sub Saharan countries are reviewing their agriculture and land policies with the purpose of facilitating private sector investments in market oriented agriculture. Rwanda has recently adopted a new strategic plan for agriculture transformation, prioritising wealth creation and innovation in agri business, through the massive use of chemical inputs with potentially harmful consequences on ecosystems and agriculture sector.

The overall objective of this baseline study was to identify the current issues, practices as well as possible options for integrating AEPs into the Agriculture Intensification Program in Rwanda. In order to achieve this objective on the following two hypotheses which also constitute the main terms of reference of this study:

• Performance contracts at different levels of project planning and agricultural actions, include indicators of integration and implementation of agro-ecological practices, and 
• Intensive crop production under Crop Intensification Program on consolidated land for commercial monoculture, including large areas of maize, cassava, wheat, beans, rice and potatoes public and private investors and cooperatives do not just use industrial fertilizers; they also incorporate agro-ecological practices that balance biological life and soil fertility.

With regard to the inclusion of the AEPs related indicators in the agriculture policies and strategies, the findings from this study show that some AEPs are included in the planning documents at central and local level. At central level, some AEPs are incorporated in the NST1, NAP, PSTA4, MINAGRI’s MIS and single action plan. At district levels, AEPs are included in the DDSs and Imihigo though in limited numbers. In fact the commonly used AEPs as reflected in DDs and Imihigo include: Crop rotation, Organic fertilizers, Sprinkler irrigation, Terracing, Recycled harvested rainwater and Agroforestry (Fruits) trees. At central and district levels, the study has revealed that AEPs indicators are assigned baselines and targets to be annually achieved between 2018/19 and 2023/24. With regard to the use of AEPs in the CIP, the findings show that 50% of farmers across the surveyed districts use inorganic fertilizers in the Non-LUC areas against 75% of farmers in LUC. The commonly use inorganic fertilizer is DAP that is used by 47% of farmers. This is mainly explained by the fact the majority of farmers grow Maize in season A which mainly require DAP.

Further, the study has revealed that rocket was the commonly used pesticide across the surveyed districts with an average of 49%.

Furthermore, the findings indicate that a high proportion of farmers in LUC and Non-LUC have implemented different AEPs such organic fertilizers (more than 90%), crop protection (88%), non-tillage (77%) and agroforestry (55%). Other AEPs such as intercropping, mulching, green manure, eco-friendly chemical fertilizers, eco-friendly chemical pesticides and natural weeds control-push and pull were implemented at low levels. Major constraints to the use of AEPs as cited by farmers include: high costs related to use of AEPs, lack of knowledge, non-suitability in respective farms, time consuming and unavailability of raw materials and limited farm size.

The studies also show that knowledge of the farmers on the benefits of applying AEPs is still inadequate. The findings also revealed that the extension services in Rwanda emphasize on conventional agriculture practices that include: improved seeds and use fertilizers, mulching, farmyard manure, composting and terracing. Other such as agro-forestry and rainwater harvesting are mainly promoted by NGOs (such as VI Agroforestry, one acre fund, ACORD and USAID Hinga weze activity). The challenges for farmers lie in the cost of the AEP and the availability of raw materials.

This study proposes additional AEPs that will further contribute to improving sustainable agriculture intensification and soil fertility. This include: Control of pests and striga weed through Push and pull, Echo friendly pest control, mulching and green Manure and rain water harvesting.

The study proposes also AEPs that contribute to household nutrition and food security. Such AEPs includes conservation agriculture (e.g: intercropping, crop rotation, mixed cropping), agriculture water management practices (e.g: rain water harvesting and irrigation), Agroforestry (including nutritious fruit trees), sustainable management of pests and diseases (e.g push pull technology) and bio-fortification. In order to improve farmers’ knowledge and use the AEPs, this study recommends the following:

Improved AEP Extension and Research on services: Research and technical extension staff need additional resources to reach more farmers, and they need more training on agro ecological practices and on innovative ways to share their knowledge. Farmer Field Schools should be used as the approach to train farmers especially on integrated pest management. There is need to roll out a capacity building programme to include intensive hands-on training and establishment of model farms and demonstration units to allow for acquisition of hands-on experience and technical skills among the farmers.

Comparative performance and economic evaluation of the different AEPs: MINAGRI/RAB and other stakeholders should undertake comparative performance and economic evaluation of the different agro ecological practices including use of mineral fertilizers alone; use of organic and compost fertilizers alone, and use of mixture of both organic and inorganic fertilizers, to inform the decision makers and farmers on the most appropriate practices for the different areas.

Ensuring immediate benefits among the farmers: In order to reinforce policy advocacy for the AEPs it is important to produce and consolidate evidence of its benefits, such as benefits of intercropping in contrast to the negative impacts of high-input intensive monocultures.

Providing intermediate, appropriate technology: New IPM tools and practices can be better tested to the local conditions through participatory research (experimentation) across all the AEZ of Rwanda.

Capacity building: The study propose strengthening of the capacities within actors working on AEPs integration initiatives in CIP along the specific value chains (e,g inputs, production, processing, storage and marketing, consumption.).

Increased coordination and planning: Coordination mechanisms should be put in place to enhance the impact of the AEPs interventions by fostering synergies as well as making interventions more consistent and avoiding duplication of efforts.

Increased policy support and leadership: A better-shared understanding of these issues would provide common ground for local actors to pursue the changes that are needed in agricultural policy and practice.

Engagement of private sector in investing in Agro ecological trade through availing agro ecological materials and inputs and selling related services (converting urban waste into compost, production of comlizer, organic trade). A survey should be conducted to identify the key issues that need to be addressed to better leverage the private sector to provide sustainable compost prepared from urban waste.

Initiate policy advocacy program for scaling-up the implementation of AEPs in Rwanda and influence funding priorities by different stakeholders.

Come up with a business model for ecological organic farming, with qualitative and quantitative indicators of the potential benefits and drawbacks of AEPs and similar methods in terms of agriculture intensification and their impact on soil fertility, ecosystems, and biodiversity as well as measurements of application rates, standards, nutrients, economics of AEPs.