UP TO 40 PER CENT of cropped land in Rwanda is at the risk of severe erosion and there is a need for greater investments in remedial measures, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation. This means that hundreds of thousands of small-holder farmers around the country could see a decline in productivity if nothing is done to prevent soil erosion. We have grown accustomed to aerial images and footage of ‘brown’ water in the country’s rivers, which goes to show how we continue to lose our fertile soils due to erosion. This, despite years of decent efforts in afforestation and reforestation programmes, along with other environmental protection and conservation initiatives. Indeed, figures indicate that Rwanda registered a net increase in forest cover of 11 per cent over the last ten years, helping to achieve the country’s commitment to increase forest cover to 30 per cent of the total land area ahead of schedule. In addition, Rwanda is on track to achieving its own commitment to restore 2 million hectares of deforested and degraded lands, a target set in 2011 with a view to achieving it by 2030. Halfway way through the implementation process, the country stands at about 45 per cent having managed to restore some 900,000 hectares. However, thanks in part to population pressure and competition for limited resources, there are still cases of encroachment of forestlands and other protected areas, while land degradation remains a serious threat. This calls for sustained and coordinated multi-sectoral efforts at different levels of society to ensure that the country continues to make progress toward restoration of deforested and degraded lands. This would not only go a long way to enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers in light of climate change associated challenges and effectively boost food security, while at the same time promoting sustainable development. This is why it’s important that we all embrace and actively participate in initiatives designed to help preserve and restore natural ecosystems, including the forthcoming drive to plant more than 43 million trees, due next month. According to the Minister for Environment, there is a plan for every household to plant three tree seedlings. Seedlings will be provided by the government and other licenced private stakeholders but this effort will not be successful without the full participation of ordinary citizens and other residents at the community level. This is indeed a noble cause that should be supported, not just during planting, but also in caring for the seedlings thereafter. Planting and preserving trees should be an integral part of our everyday routine.
