Government has made impressive strides in forest management and with climate change at the forefront of global concerns, Rwanda aims to restore 2 million hectares of degraded land by 2050. The country aims to plant 65 million trees this year alone, building on last year’s success of 62 million trees.
The conversation centered on how to enhance afforestation efforts, particularly through performance-based contracts and leveraging social security programs to encourage farmers to plant and maintain trees.
While tree planting campaigns have been successful in increasing numbers, experts highlighted the critical issue of ensuring that these trees survive and thrive.
Dr. Concorde Nsengumuremyi, Director General of the Rwanda Forestry Authority, emphasized the importance of sustainability in afforestation efforts.
“We have to find a way of increasing the chances of the trees we plant to be sustainable but, if the trees don’t survive, that’s a loss,” Nsengumuremyi said.
He pointed out that trees offer vital ecosystem services, such as water retention, soil fertility, and erosion control especially crucial in Rwanda’s hilly terrain. While fruit trees and timber are beneficial to farmers, the challenge remains that trees require years of investment before providing financial returns.
As a solution, Nsengumuremyi proposed using performance-based contracts, where farmers can partner with investors to plant trees and receive rewards once they reach maturity. These rewards could take the form of cash or in-kind benefits such as farming equipment or livestock.
Experts also explored the possibility of incorporating the Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (VUP), a flagship poverty-alleviation initiative into the tree planting efforts.
“VUP delivers more benefits to Rwandan citizens in return for participation in public works activities. We suggest the expansion of VUP to include tree planting and management,” Nsengumuremyi said.
He highlighted that this could provide much-needed financial incentives for farmers, particularly when combined with public-private partnerships.
“Using such programs where the local population earns but also contributes to environmental development is a great opportunity with the government plans to involve more groups, such as women and youth, to ensure inclusivity in afforestation efforts,” he said.
Professor Egide Karuranga, a researcher in the field, acknowledged that tree survival rates remain a challenge worldwide, with drought, poor planting techniques, and climate change affecting tree longevity.
He noted that the survival rate of trees in Rwanda could be improved by offering continued support to farmers for at least three years, ensuring proper care during the crucial early stages of tree growth.
“Tree survival rate is still a challenge due to various factors, including drought and poor planting methods. In some regions like California, 50% of the trees do not survive, and in Ethiopia, the rate is between 30 and 40%. Our research shows that privately owned trees tend to have a higher survival rate than those in public forests,” said Karuranga.
Athanase Mukurarinda, Country Director of World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), a leading environmental organization, also echoed the need for greater community involvement in tree care.
He noted that in a recent campaign, when residents were encouraged to take ownership of the trees planted in their areas, survival rates increased dramatically. Initially, only 30% of trees were surviving, but after a series of awareness campaigns and incentives, more than 70% of the trees planted are now thriving.
“Both the government and the public must work together. When people feel ownership over the trees they plant, the results are far more successful. With proper care and support, we can ensure the survival of these trees and ultimately create a greener, more sustainable Rwanda,” Mukurarinda explained.
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