Slow uptake of agroforestry, a farming practice whereby trees are integrated on farms with crops, has been linked to lack of a supervising ministry.

Agroforestry boosts produce as tree species that increase soil fertility are mixed with crops. In addition, agroforestry is used to mitigate soil erosion.

However, the practice is not widespread because it is not clear whether agroforestry falls under Ministry of Agriculture or Natural Resources.

“The problem is that Ministry of Agriculture is not considering the importance of agroforestry in improving crops production, so the issue is how we can improve this; is it going to stay in Ministry of Agriculture or is it going to be  to shift from Ministry of Agriculture to Ministry of Natural Resources?” asked Felix Murangwa, director of forest research and extension at the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority.

At a recent workshop of agriculture and agroforestry experts, stakeholders examined the role of agroforestry and how it can be used to boost food production.

Experts recommend that the Ministry of Agriculture should take the lead in promotion of agroforestry.

Dr Athanase Mukuralinda, country representative of World Agroforestry Centre, an international organisation that promotes the use of trees in agricultural landscapes, recommended urged the Ministry of Agriculture to take charge of agroforestry.

“Agroforestry is about trees and crops; so there are together trees, crops and land. And Ministry of Agriculture is in charge of crops so it should be in charge of agroforestry trees,” said Dr Mukuralinda.

According to a report on forest landscape restoration opportunity assessment for Rwanda launched last week, there is approximately 2.25 million hectares of land that could benefit from forest landscape restoration to improve productivity and quality crops.

The report indicate that this could be delivered through policies, programmes that target 1.5 million hectares of mainly agricultural and forest lands.