Update Tree Seedling Production – Rwanda

Tree nursery in Southern Rwanda Project, RDIS – Rwanda

85% out of Agro forest, fruits and forest trees are already distributed to the community of the Southern Rwanda. The Growing rate is 96. 8 in the Diocese of Shyogwe; 96. 9 in the Diocese of Cyangugu; 94.7 in the Diocese of Butare and 98.8 in the diocese of Kigeme. 

10% of the trees are sold. These are mainly fruits trees, there are grown to increase the income in a family and also to increase food deity.  Other trees are largely distributed free of charge. To increase the number of sold trees, we are now initiating grafting method in our tree nurseries. These are well needed by the community because they quickly produce fruits and also they are not bigger as the no grafted trees.    

Activities have included: Tree nurseries rehabilitation, buying seeds, buying plastic bags and manure, building materials, trees distribution, tree planting campaign and community sensitisation. 

Milk production has been increased due to some species of trees which were planted by the farmers (for instance calleandra and leucena species).  Families are now able to pay school fees for their children. From 2009 there is no drought in southern province; we are sure that tree planting programme is contributing to drought reduction. 

Impact has been:

•  260 families out of 36 340   in the four Dioceses have improved their food diet, whereby at least a lunch time family members have fruits, like egg fruit, passion fruit or papaya
• 234 families out of 36 340 which received trees  have increased their income by 15%
• Malnutrition cases, especially to women an children is decreased by 23% at the end of January 2010
• By observation through field visit, soil fertility has been improved on 210 hectors( 90 hectors in the Diocese os Cyangugu, 52 hectors in the Diocese of Shyogwe, 42 hectors in Kigeme Diocese and  26 Hectors in Butare Diocese ). We have not been able to mesure in technical way the soil fertility, we went through an observation during our field visit to different areas.
• Soil protection by tree planting on 204.12 Hectors in the community of Southern Rwanda. Through agro forest trees, progressivelly we are contributing to the increasing  of P.H which is low in KIGEME diocese (4.5 to 6.5)

Project details: 

In recent years Rwanda has experienced deforestation, leading to depleted bio-diversity, erosion and landslides.  The Tree Seedling Production Project distributes a mixture of Forestry, Fruit and Agro-forestry tree seedlings to people who use them to plant them in their land, replant forests, and prevent encroachment of the remaining forests.

The Project has set up nurseries over several districts of Rwanda and produces tree seedlings on a large scale. Local community members give their labour to build the tree nurseries, transport manure, transplant, water and care for seedlings as they grow.

Mature trees provide wood for building and can be sold to generate income which can then be used for school fees or to buy livestock to generate more income and provide milk and manure. The fruit of trees, such as Moringa, help children recover from Kwashiorkor – a disease caused by malnutrition. Callindra is a good source of fuel wood, animal fodder, increases soil fertility, and provides nectar for bees.

So far, a network of 13 nurseries has been established across four dioceses in southern Rwanda. Each nursery produces about 20,000 saplings. The project is managed by our partner The Rural Development Inter-Diocesan Service (RDIS).

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