Food and land use context in Rwanda

One of the smallest countries in mainland Africa, Rwanda is also the most densely populated. The majority of Rwanda’s land is oriented towards agriculture—notably sustenance agriculture—with 41.6% of total land used for crops and grassland and 27.5%. covered by forest. The increasing food consumption of cattle in particular drives the need for more pasture land or land for the production of livestock feed. While the abandonment of managed land is a major source of Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) emissions reduction, AFOLU remains the most polluting sector in Rwanda, accounting for 85% of the country’s direct greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture, as the main economic activity, employs 72% of the working population and accounts for 33% of GDP. It is also a sector that presents challenges for the population, both in terms of environmental conservation and in providing enough to feed the 1.2 million population (more than 37% of which is undernourished). The Government of Rwanda, therefore, endeavours to promote agricultural intensification to address these challenges.

Food and land use context in Rwanda

Participating institution: University of Rwanda

Team members: Francois Xavier Naramabuye (University of Rwanda), Fidèle Niyitanga (University of Rwanda), Dative Imanirareba (Uganda Martyrs University)

Publications: 2019 Report of the FABLE Consortium. Pathway for Rwanda.

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