Aug 2026· International Journal of Plant & Soil Science· Vol 38, pp. 82-91· 0 citations
Abstract
Aims: This study assessed the effectiveness of soil conservation practices (SCPs) in controlling soil erosion and examined their contribution to sustainable crop production, using the Food Basket Sites (FoBaSi) programme of Ngororero District, Rwanda, as a case study.
Study Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive-explanatory research design combining quantitative and qualitative methods was adopted.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted between 2025 and 2026 across 50 Food Basket Sites in the 13 sectors of Ngororero District, an East African highland agricultural landscape in Western Province, Rwanda.
Methodology: Cross-sectional mixed-methods was employed for the study of 367 farming households (Yamane's formula, stratified sampling) plus 39 key informants across Ngororero District. Data came from household surveys, field observations, interviews, and secondary records. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression in SPSS; qualitative data were analyzed thematically.
Results: Radical terracing (85%) and progressive terracing (78%) were the most widely adopted SCPs, whereas cover cropping (45%) and water harvesting (40%) showed relatively low adoption. Indicators of soil erosion remained prevalent, including bare soil patches (70%), rills (65%), and gullies (40%), suggesting inadequate maintenance and limited integration of biological conservation measures. Soil conservation practices were significantly and positively associated with crop yield, yield stability, land productivity, and household food security (p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that terracing, agroforestry, mulching, and cover cropping explained 68% of the variation in sustainable crop production (R = 0.825, R² = 0.680, Adjusted R² = 0.676; F (4,362) = 45.2, p < 0.001), with terracing (β = 0.45) and agroforestry (β = 0.35) being the strongest predictors. Furthermore, 80% of farmers reported increased and more stable crop yields, 65% reported higher farm income, and 74.1% perceived improved resilience to climate variability.
Conclusion: Integrated implementation of structural and biological soil conservation practices significantly enhances sustainable crop production despite persistent erosion challenges. Strengthening maintenance, expanding biological conservation measures, and improving extension support and financial access are essential to increase agricultural productivity and climate resilience in Rwanda's highland Food Basket Sites.
This study investigated the impact of climate change on soil quality, farmers’ livelihood activities, and adaptation strategies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Driven by rising temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns, climate change poses a severe threat to agricultural sustainability and rural economics. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Relying on primary data, a structured questionnaire titled "Climate Change on Soil Quality, Farmers Livelihood Activities and Adaptation Strategies" (CCSQFLAAS) was administered to a multi-stage sample of 720 respondents selected via simple random and purposive techniques across ten wards in the Bwari and Abaji Area Councils. The sample size was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan formula. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation for the research questions, while independent samples t-tests were used to test the two null hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance.The findings revealed that rising weather variability, specifically unpredictable rainfall and flash floods, severely degrades soil quality by eroding topsoil nutrients and disrupting planting schedules (Cluster Mean=3.08). Also, extreme temperature profiles accelerate soil organic matter decomposition, baking the land and reducing farm labor productivity (Cluster Mean=3.09). To mitigate these shocks, local communities have actively adopted adaptation strategies (Cluster Mean=2.97), leaning heavily on organic manuring (Xˉ=3.10) and crop rotation (Xˉ=3.22), though resource-intensive conservation tillage remains less practiced (Xˉ=2.65). The inferential analysis showed no statistically significant differences between the experiences of farmers in Bwari and Abaji regarding weather variations (p=0.254) and temperature trends (p=0.332), confirming that climate stress acts as a uniform regional burden. The study concludes that climate change uniformly compromises the ecological foundation of rural livelihoods in the FCT. It recommends targeted institutional funding for climate-smart infrastructure, subsidized distribution of drought-resistant crop varieties, and decentralized agricultural extension frameworks to build long-term rural resilience.
AGBO MARIA, AMINA TIJJANI MOHAMMED, MOHAMMED YABAGI· International Journal of Agr...· 0 citations
Soil erosion continues to undermine the agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in the Ethiopian highlands, yet the determinants of sustained adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices remain insufficiently understood. This study analyzed the intensity and determinants of farmers’ adoption of SWC practices in the Golina watershed of Northeastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey of 364 households was conducted using a three-stage sampling technique, complemented by field observations, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics and a Poisson regression model were employed to examine factors influencing the number of SWC practices adopted per household. The results show that 99.2% of farmers had previously participated in SWC activities, while 66.8% were currently maintaining at least one SWC practice. Contour farming (100% in Woleh; 95.7% in Wofela) and soil bunds (90.4% in Wondie Ashewa) were the most widely adopted measures. The regression analysis indicated that farming experience, total income, membership in local organizations, land slope, knowledge of SWC, and positive perception of SWC benefits significantly increased adoption intensity, while greater land distance and better land quality reduced it. Overall, adoption intensity is strongly shaped by socioeconomic conditions, institutional engagement, land characteristics, and farmers’ perceptions. The findings highlight the need to strengthen knowledge dissemination, enhance community-based institutions, and promote context-specific interventions to improve the sustainability and intensity of SWC adoption for sustainable land management and rural livelihood improvement.
Indigenous agricultural practices, refined over generations, present viable solutions for strengthening climate change resilience. However, limited research exists on their effectiveness in mitigating climate impacts in Mogotio sub-County. This study aimed to assess the role of indigenous agricultural methods in enhancing climate resilience in Mogotio sub-County, Baringo, Kenya. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, targeting 384 households selected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Primary data were collected using household questionnaires. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including logit regression analysis. The findings revealed that drought-resistant crop varieties (43.2%), indigenous livestock breeds (25%), water conservation techniques (15.9%), and indigenous seeds (15.9%) were the major indigenous practices used to cope with climate variability. Respondents reported that indigenous practices improved agricultural yields through increased resistance of indigenous livestock breeds to harsh climatic conditions (46.2%), maintenance of production during dry seasons (27%), faster crop maturity (15%), and reduced production costs (12%). Logit regression results showed that coping with reduced rainfall (odds ratio = 2.11, p = 0.004), perceived improvement in agricultural yields through indigenous practices (odds ratio = 3.32, p = 0.001), and community knowledge sharing (odds ratio = 2.59, p = 0.002) significantly enhanced climate change resilience. The study concludes that indigenous agricultural practices and community knowledge systems play a significant role in strengthening climate resilience in Mogotio sub-County. The study recommends increased awareness programs on the benefits of indigenous agricultural practices and greater support from county and national governments through subsidized indigenous seeds, livestock breeds, and farming inputs suited to local climatic conditions.
Philip K. Mwendwa, A. Waithaka, A. Karanja· Journal of the Kenya Nationa...· 0 citations
Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural production in Rutsiro District, Rwanda, particularly among smallholder maize farmers in the rain-fed sectors of Boneza, Gihango, Mukura, and Musasa, where soil erosion, erratic rainfall, and declining soil fertility continue to reduce maize productivity. Although the Government of Rwanda, through MINAGRI and REMA, has promoted climate resilience practices such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, improved seed varieties, and water management, limited empirical evidence exists on their effectiveness in the study area. This study examined the effect of climate change resilience practices on maize production between 2019 and 2025 using a mixed-methods research design. A sample of 389 maize farmers was selected from a population of 14,306 using Yamane's formula, complemented by 10 key informant interviews and four focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed relatively high adoption of agroforestry (74.9%), water management (67.4%), and conservation agriculture (64.0%), while qualitative evidence showed that improved seed varieties were the most preferred practice because of their early maturity, higher productivity, and support through government and development partner programmes. Maize yield increased by 47%, from 1.85 tons/ha in 2019 to 2.72 tons/ha in 2025, and food-secure households increased from 27.8% to 53.4%. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between climate resilience practices and maize yield (r = 0.529, p < 0.01), while regression analysis indicated that the four practices jointly explained 41.5% of the variation in maize yield (R² = 0.415). However, high input costs, inadequate irrigation infrastructure, and limited access to extension services remained major barriers to adoption. The study concludes that climate resilience practices significantly improve maize production and household food security in the study area. It recommends strengthening the implementation of climate-smart agriculture policies through increased investment in agricultural extension services, subsidised improved seeds and irrigation technologies, farmer training, and improved access to agricultural finance to enhance the adoption of integrated climate resilience practices and sustain agricultural productivity
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems, yet they continue to experience rapid degradation due to increasing anthropogenic pressures. This study assessed the impact of anthropogenic activities on ecosystem change in Rugeramigozi Wetland, Muhanga District, Rwanda, between 2005 and 2025. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis of Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with household surveys, key informant interviews, and field observations. A total of 378 respondents were selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques, comprising 317 farmers and 61 key informants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Land use and land cover analysis revealed a substantial decline in open water bodies from 18% to 8% and wetland vegetation from 42% to 35% over the study period. In contrast, agricultural land increased from 30% to 40%, while built-up areas increased from 5% to 12%, indicating continued conversion of natural wetland areas to human-dominated land uses. Respondents identified agricultural expansion, settlement expansion, livestock rearing, waste disposal, and water management as the principal anthropogenic pressures affecting the wetland. Pearson correlation analysis showed a statistically significant positive relationship between anthropogenic activities and wetland ecosystem change (r = 0.523, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis also indicated that anthropogenic activities collectively had a statistically significant association with ecosystem change (F = 3.717, p = 0.001); however, the low coefficient of determination (R² = 0.067) indicates that the activities included in the model explained only 6.7% of the observed variation in ecosystem change, suggesting that other environmental, climatic, hydrological, socio-economic, and institutional factors also contribute substantially to wetland transformation. Livestock rearing was the only statistically significant individual predictor (β = 0.301, p = 0.001). The findings demonstrate that anthropogenic activities are important contributors to wetland degradation, but ecosystem change is a multidimensional process that cannot be explained by these activities alone. The study recommends strengthening wetland protection and monitoring, regulating livestock grazing, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and land-use planning, restoring degraded hydrological systems, improving waste management, and enhancing community participation in wetland governance to support long-term ecosystem conservation.
B. Fabrice, Richard Mind'je, Jovine Nsekanabanga· East African Journal of Envi...· 0 citations
Bamboo has increasingly gained recognition as a strategic non-timber forest product with considerable potential to contribute to sustainable rural development, poverty reduction, environmental conservation, and climate change mitigation. In Kenya, the bamboo sector has experienced growing interest due to its socio-economic and ecological benefits; however, empirical evidence on the sustainability of bamboo value chains and their contribution to household livelihoods remains limited, particularly in Busia County. This study assessed the sustainability of the bamboo value chain and its influence on household livelihoods in Busia County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design targeting households engaged in bamboo production, processing, marketing, and utilisation activities. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to sampled households, while secondary data were obtained from government reports, policy documents, and relevant scholarly literature. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression techniques to determine the relationship between bamboo value chain sustainability and household livelihood outcomes. The findings revealed that bamboo value chain activities were predominantly undertaken by low-income households, highlighting the sector's importance as a livelihood strategy among economically vulnerable populations. Approximately 78.1% of respondents earned less than KES 10,000 per month, with 30.0% earning between KES 5,001 and 10,000, 28.1% earning between KES 1,001 and 5,000, and 20.0% earning below KES 1,000 monthly. Income generation emerged as the most significant livelihood benefit associated with bamboo value chain participation, cited by 82.4% of respondents, followed by employment creation (76.8%), value addition opportunities (64.3%), improved market access (61.5%), and environmental conservation benefits (58.7%). These findings underscore the multifunctional role of bamboo in supporting both socio-economic welfare and ecological sustainability. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated a strong positive relationship between bamboo value chain sustainability and household livelihood outcomes. The regression model indicated that sustainability-related factors accounted for 62.0% of the variation in household livelihoods (R² = 0.62), signifying a substantial predictive influence. The study recommends increased investment in bamboo processing technologies, value addition infrastructure, and product diversification initiatives to enhance profitability and market competitiveness. Strengthening collaboration among farmers, processors, traders, cooperatives, government agencies, and development partners is necessary to improve value chain efficiency and market integration. Capacity-building programmes, extension services, and awareness campaigns should be expanded to enhance technical skills and adoption of improved bamboo production and processing technologies.
Robert Owino Sunya, E. Wemali· Advances in Research· 0 citations
