Improving the existing farming systems toward a climate smart agriculture in Musanze district of Rwanda

Abstract: From the older mixed intercropping which has not been able to produce higher yields, to the monoculture system currently promoted by the government of Rwanda and which has helped to increase the yield of the prioritized crops, agriculture production has continued to be challenged by climate change where droughts, heavy rains, severe soil erosions, strong winds, pests and diseases have reduced significantly the production in some of the affected areas. It is for this reason that this review was done particularly on Musanze district, an areas which is considered as the food basket of Rwanda for its high agricultural production, but which is highly affected by torrential rains from the Volcano National Park, followed by floods and landslides, which in turn causes severe crop destruction and soil erosion; in order to help to suggest another farming system which can help to lead to a climate-smart agriculture. While the population continues to grow, putting much pressure on land, both systems have failed to adapt to climate change in order to satisfy food needs with low environmental damages, and the future climate change scenarios predict that the situation may become worse in the coming decades. That is why a complex mixed cropping system is suggested in Musanze district in order to diversify food products hence leading to food security, help to control the soil erosion, a major challenging issue faced by farmers and reduce other socioeconomic and environmental damages resulting from heavy rains, floods and landslides. This study suggests two options of mixed cropping: (1) strip cropping inside the farm together with trees/shrubs and/or anti-erosive crops contouring the farm; or (2) row intercropping inside the farm with trees/shrubs and/or anti-erosive crops contouring the farm. Its implementation will help to reach food security, to adapt to climate change while trying to reduce greenhouse gas emission. For this reason, it requires governmental commitment towards farmers’ needs and involving them in decision making, but also to change from the only economic focus to the other aspects of sustainability: social and environment in order to have enjoyable life both for current and the future generations.