By Seif Shaggy Gracien Hasingizwimana,Kigali,Rwanda
In an effort to promote sustainable agriculture and protect the soil, the Government of Rwanda is urging farmers to shift from traditional farming methods and adopt regenerative agriculture by keeping the soil covered to reduce erosion and increase yields.
This was highlighted by Dr. Patrick Karangwa, Director General at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), who stated that the Government of Rwanda is committed to transforming agriculture and livestock farming to ensure food security and accelerate economic growth.
“Through the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, the Government of Rwanda is committed to transforming traditional agriculture and livestock production so that our country can achieve food security and contribute to economic development. Our goal is to modernize agriculture sustainably,” he said.
Dr. Karangwa is calling on farmers to embrace new farming techniques, advising against tilling the entire land as was traditionally done, and instead practice regenerative agriculture.
“We encourage farmers to change the way they cultivate their land and adopt modern farming practices that do not involve tilling the entire field. Instead, a farmer should only prepare the specific spots where seeds and fertilizers are applied. Tilling the whole field accelerates soil erosion, and current data shows that Rwanda loses up to 27 tons of soil per hectare each year due to erosion,” he noted.
He emphasized that soil protection is the foundation of sustainable agricultural development, adding that regenerative agriculture offers practical solutions. These include reducing erosion, protecting biodiversity below the soil surface, restoring soil fertility, increasing long-term yields, and promoting the use of renewable energy technologies that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience to climate change.
Farmers are also encouraged to form cooperatives and share knowledge to increase production for the markets.
This comes at a time when Rwanda continues to address the impacts of climate change, declining soil fertility, and rising costs of agricultural and livestock inputs.
