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Sep 20, 2024Keywords:
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Understanding the factors influencing smallholder farmers's willingness to adopt agroforestry in Gomba Village, Rwanda
Abstract
Agroforestry practices are crucial in promoting sustainable agriculture, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing farmers' livelihoods. However, despite extensive research and extension efforts, smallholder farmers' adoption of agroforestry practices in Rwanda remains low. This study examined farmers' agroforestry preferences and factors influencing their adoption in Gomba Village. The data was collected through a survey and focus group discussion with households in Gomba Village, using stratified sampling and classifying them into three wealth groups (better-off, medium, and poor). The results indicated that socioeconomic factors play a significant role in agroforestry adoption, whereby wealthier households (better-off) had high number of trees, wirh mean total of 80 trees per households, followed by medium farmers with 54 trees poor farmers with 40 trees. Fruit trees, present in 85% of households, were the most popular tree species among farmers. The most popular fruit tree species were Persea americana (74% of households), Carica papaya (65%), and Mangifera indica (56%). Multipurpose trees, such as Grevillea robusta and Vernonia amygdalina, were also widely used because they provide essential products like stakes and fodder. The number of tree species increased with farm size, with better-off farmers having an average of 11 tree species versus 9 and 8 for medium and poor farm types. However, several factors limited the adoption of agroforestry. The main challenges were a lack of tree seedlings, labor shortages, and small farm sizes, with poor farmers facing the most constraints. The high cost of seedlings, particularly for grafted fruit trees, posed a significant barrier to adoption. Strategies for widespread adoption of these sustainable land management practices should prioritize improved input access, strengthened extension services, and agroforestry adoption incentives.
