Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) for mapping land use types in Musanze district, Rwanda

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to apply Geographic Information System (GIS) for mapping different land use types. This study was conducted in Sahara, Gisesero and Kavumu cells of Busogo Sector from May to June 2012. In this area, land use management practices are not well applied and therefore, the natural environment is being degraded and this is illustrated by the cropping on hills and mountains with high slope area while they are appropriate for forest plantations. This study provides the information on how forests and other land use types should be managed in order to sustain the environment. Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to collect data and Arc map GIS 9.2 software was used for data analysis. Results showed that forestland occupies 42.5 ha (3.15 % of total study area), the area covered by crops while it is more appropriate to grow forests occupies 45.7 ha (3.45 %), the total area that must be occupied by the forest is 6.6% and the area covered by human settlement, city and institutions is 116.5 ha (8.79 %). The remaining 1045 ha (84 % of study area) is used in agricultural activities, agroforestry and infrastructure. Forest managers should advocate for planting trees in all areas with steep slope on hills and mountains and in areas where agriculture has no potential with good sylvicultural practices and expanding the agriculture in lowland where the erosion risk is minimum

The Impact of Land Use Consolidation Program on Agricultural Productivity: A Case Study of Maize (Zea mays L.) Production among Households in Nyabihu District, Western Rwanda

Abstract: The high population growth in Rwanda has resulted in land fragmentation and poor crop yields in many rural farms hence necessitating the government to introduce the land consolidation policy in the country with the aim of boosting crop yields and effecting rural household development. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the land consolidation policy is effective in boosting maize production yields among the maize growers in the sector. Specifically, the research analyzed maize production before and after the land consolidation policy. To achieve the objective of the study, a survey was conducted with 40 households selected randomly from Mukamira Sector where the policy was implemented from 2004. The results showed that maize production in the Sector increased by 347% from a mean yield of 2027.5 kg to 9071.9 kg per household per season as a result of the policy (p=0.05). According to chi-square test there is a significant relationship between maize income as a dependent variable, fertilizer use and land size as independent variables (p=0.05). However, two major constraints were observed that hamper maize production and these were the low output prices and small land holdings. This study concludes that land consolidation policy has had great impact in the sector due to increased use of mineral fertilizers, certified maize seeds and better crop husbandry practices. To overcome the low prices of maize grains, there is need for farmers to market their produce as cooperatives rather than as individuals so that they may consolidate their bargaining power as cooperatives

Strengthening "Folk Ecology" : applying community-based learning and communication strategies to improve soil fertility and livelihoods in western Kenya; final technical report

The “Strengthening ‘Folk Ecology’ Project” studied and documented the dynamics of how local agro-ecological knowledge is bred and how it spreads spontaneously or through a planned scaling out process. The project’s predominance with farmer preferred hands-on and visible processes were essential in creating key knowledge, research findings and reaching as many farmers as possible. The project relied on (a) partnerships with institutions and the smallholder groups, beginning with few and ending with a movement of groups b) participatory learning plots – with a modified FFS-type approach c) community platforms such as field days d) written materials d) Fork Arts e.g. poems, drama and song. Innovative approaches were devised and applied, to be able to create dynamic knowledge and extend its use from the collective hands-on sites to as many farms as possible. Two key means were i) the Resource Farmer concept and ii) the farmer-led try-out model of continuous learning. These two relied on integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) – a key theme for TSBF-CIAT – as an entry point for community activities. These two key approaches evolved so fast, one, to involve other1 stakeholders and two, to include a broader scope than merely addressing “soil fertility”. Several studies have distinguished the aspects that were general in all sites, and those that were specific (and offered reasons). The studies show that the project has shaped new learning and learning activities especially local innovation and experimentation, dialogue and new partnerships between farmers and other partners besides TSBF-CIAT geared toward improving the functioning of the local agro-ecosystems. This strategy has strengthened local institutions, actors and processes, and leaves strong traceable changes for the average smallholder in the several sites (contained in the “Summary of Impacts” accompanying this report. Finally, we show how Project findings are useful for improving the communication strategies and decision-making abilities of extension, policymakers, and other research activities addressing agricultural livelihoods in western Kenya