Contextual drivers of climate-smart agroforestry adoption in Bugesera and Rulindo agroecosystems of Rwanda
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
This study examined 381 farmers from two regions in Rwanda to investigate how contextual factors at the field
level interact with climate-smart agroforestry (CSAF) practices. Farmers were categorized as low (LAD), medium
(MAD), and high (HAD) adopters based on tree counts. Various contextual factors — notably location, demographics,
assets, farm characteristics, and institutional variables — were analyzed using descriptive statistics,
Pearson correlation, logit regression, and propensity score matching. Farmers in Bugesera had larger farms and
higher tree counts than those in Rulindo, resulting in greater farm income in Bugesera. Positive correlations were
found among altitude, slope, erosion class, gender, household size, poverty level, income source, marital status,
education, farm area, cropping practices, farm-river distance, changes in CSAF cover, population dynamics, and
LAD. CSAF farms outperformed monoculture farms regarding cassava, maize, and bean yields, particularly in
Bugesera and Rulindo among larger landholdings. Logit regression analysis showed that combinations of
multipurpose trees and crop planting significantly improved farm yields, with household size and farm size being
critical factors for CSAF adoption. Propensity score matching confirmed the positive effects of CSAF practices on
farm yield and income, contributing to enhanced rural well-being. These findings underscore the crucial role of
CSAF in promoting well-being. The results encourage stakeholders to develop strategies for CSAF. While these
findings are specific to local contexts, they may hold potential relevance at regional and global levels. This of charcoal to the City of Kigali, rendering it treeless and semi- arid. Concerted efforts are needed to develop irrigation schemes and subsidize tree seedlings for farmers to contend with drought and increase and sustain production in this region, known as food insecure.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Climate-smart agroforestry (CSAF), Subsistence farming, Food security, Farm productivity, Climate-resilient efforts, Rwanda agroecosystems