Geography

Topic area: Human and Economic Geography
 Sub-topic: area Economic activities
Key unit competence
By the end of this unit, you should be able to investigate the impact of various agricultural activities on sustainable development in Rwanda.
Unit objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• Identify the different subsistence crops grown in Rwanda.
• State the factors favouring subsistence farming in Rwanda.
 • Outline the advantages and disadvantages of subsistence farming.
• Identify major plantation crops in Rwanda and their characteristics.
• State the factors favouring plantation farming in Rwanda.
 • Outline advantages and disadvantages of plantation farming.
 • State the factors for agricultural modernization in Rwanda.
 • Outline the problems limiting agricultural modernization in Rwanda.
• Identify ways of improving agriculture production in Rwanda
• Identify the different systems of rearing animals in Rwanda and their characteristics.
• State the factors hindering the development of dairy farming.
 • Outline the ways of improving livestock farming in Rwanda.
 • Identify the types of small animals kept in Rwanda.
 • State the factors affecting the keeping of smaller animals.
• Outline the methods of improving smaller animals.
 • Give the importance of keeping smaller animals.
• Identify the contributions of livestock farming to the economy of Rwanda.
• Identify the problems affecting livestock farming in Rwanda.
• State the importance of agriculture on sustainable development of Rwanda.
Agriculture in Rwanda
 Activity 11.1
Work in pairs.
Use the Internet, your local environment and knowledge gained in Geography.
1. Define agriculture.
 2. Evaluate the importance of agriculture to Rwanda.
3. Classify the crops grown in Rwanda.
4. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Agriculture refers to the growing of crops and rearing of animals for either subsistence or for commercial purposes. Agriculture in Rwanda is divided into two.
 (i) Crop cultivation (crop husbandry)
 (ii) Livestock farming (animal husbandry.)

Crop cultivation

Activity 11.2
 Do this in groups.
 Use the Internet, your local environment and other geographical documents.
 1. Define crop cultivation.
2. State the importance of crop cultivation to homes and to the country.
3. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Crop cultivation is a type of agricultural practice that deals with the growing of crops either for home use or commercial purposes. In Rwanda, 90 % of the population is engaged in this type of agriculture. Agriculture is largely practiced for home consumption. The farmers who grow crops do so to meet their food demands.
Subsistence cultivation in Rwanda
Activity 11. 3
 Work in groups.
Using the internet and other sources of geographical information;
1. Find out the meaning of subsistence farming.
 2. Identify the subsistence crops that are grown in your school and in your home area.
 3. Outline the characteristics of subsistence farming.
4. Find out other types of cultivation practiced in Rwanda.
Subsistence cultivation is the growing of crops for home consumption. In this type of agriculture, only the surplus is taken to the market. Crops grown in subsistence farming include beans, peas, maize, sweet potatoes, cassava and groundnuts. This is the most commonly practiced farming system in Rwanda.
Types of subsistence cultivation in Rwanda
 Activity 11.4
Work in groups. Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information.
 1. Find out and explain the types of subsistence farming and their characteristics.
2. Identify the types that are practiced in Rwanda.
 3. List the types of crops that are grown in each of the types listed.
4. State the characteristics of each type of subsistence farming.
5. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.

There are mainly three types of subsistence cultivation practiced in Rwanda. They include the following.
 • Small holder farming
• Market gardening
• Horticulture.
 (a) Small holder farming
This is a form of agriculture where the farmer deals with a small piece of land. The farmers grow specific crops in a given season usually for subsistence purposes. This type of subsistence agriculture has become dominant due to the high population density of Rwanda. Land has been fragmented into very small pieces that are owned by individuals. It is the most practiced form of subsistence farming.
                              
(b) Market gardening
This is a newly introduced form of agriculture. In Rwanda, it is practiced in areas that are near urban centres. It involves the growing of crops in areas where there is great demand for the products
Crops grown under market gardening in Rwanda include the following.
 • Vegetables
 • Flowers
• Fruits
                              
Market gardening is practiced in areas such as the out-skirts of:
 • Kigali City
 • Rwamagana
 • Musanze
• Rubavu as one enters the town from Kigali.
• Nyamata
(c) Horticulture
This is the growing of crops that are highly perishable.
They therefore need to be as near the market as possible for quick consumption. The horticultural crops grown in Rwanda include the following:
 • Tomatoes
• Flowers
• Fruits
• Cabbages
 • Spinach
(b) Market gardening
This is a newly introduced form of agriculture. In Rwanda, it is practiced in areas that are near urban centres. It involves the growing of crops in areas where there is great demand for the products. Crops grown under market gardening in Rwanda include the following.
• Vegetables
• Flowers
• Fruits
                          

Examples of subsistence crops in Rwanda
 Activity 11.5
Work in groups.
 Use your local environment.
1. Name the subsistence crops that you see in your school garden or in your home area.
2. Give reasons why you think the people of Rwanda grow the crops listed.
3. Share your findings with your partner.
Rwanda has different types of crops grown for subsistence. The crops are different basing on the climate, soils and nature of relief.
For example:
(a) In the Eastern Province, the crops grown include:
     (i) Bananas, maize, sorghum and groundnuts in the districts of Rwamagana, Kayonza, Gatsibo and  Ngoma.
     (ii) Kirehe is well known for pineapple growing.
     (iii) Cassava in Bugesera
     (iv) Rice in Akagera River valleys
(b) In the Northern Province, the crops grown include: (wheat in Gicumbi, Burera and Musanze Districts. (c) In the Southern Province, the crops grown include; sorghum, cassava, maize and rice in Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe Districts.
(d) In the Western Province, the crops grown include:
   (i) Wheat in Nyabihu
   (ii) Maize and sorghum in Nyamasheke
Factors for subsistence farming in Rwanda
 Activity 11.6
Work in pairs.
Use your local environment.
1. Explain the factors that favour subsistence farming in Rwanda.
2. Write down your findings and discuss them in a class presentation
There are a number of factors that favour subsistence farming in Rwanda. They include the following.
(a) The majority of the people of Rwanda are low income earners. These are the people who practice subsistence farming.
(b) There is a shortage of land in Rwanda. The little land that is available has been fragmented into small pieces that cannot support other types of large scale farming.
(c) The relief of Rwanda discourages other types of farming.
(d) Inadequate awareness has also contributed a lot to the persistence of subsistence farming in Rwanda. (e) The remote areas of some parts of Rwanda are so far from modernisation. This keeps them tied to traditional methods of farming such as subsistence farming.
(f) The Rwandan farmers produce similar crops. This reduces the demand of the produce thus making them for subsistence.
(g) Most small-scale farmers in Rwanda are rigid. They refuse to adapt to new methods of farming opting to stick to the farming methods of their fore fathers.
Advantages and disadvantages of improved subsistence crop cultivation
Activity 11.7
 Work in pairs. Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information.
1. Find out the advantages and disadvantages of improved subsistence farming.
 2. Discuss the points that you have highlighted relating them to your local environment.
3. Present them in a class discussion.
Advantages of improved subsistence farming
 (a) It is an appropriate system for sparsely populated areas such as Nyagatare.
(b) There are less chances of soil erosion because virgin forests are cleared and small plots cultivated.
(c) It provides a means of dealing with weeds.
 (d) Soil fertility is maintained since there is mixed cropping.
(e) The mixing of plants of different heights provides a good cover for the soil. This helps to protect the soil from erosion.
(f) This type of farming is cheap to maintain since it does not involve a lot of capital. Family labour is used. (g) There is a continuous supply of food because the different crops grown on the piece of land are ready for harvest at different times.
Disadvantages of improved subsistence farming
(a) Clearing land in preparation for cultivation destroys valuable vegetation such as forests for timber and herbal medicines.
(b) Once vegetation has been cleared, the nutrient cycle is broken. Organic matter and bacteria that would help in keeping the soil fertile are destroyed.
(c) Land is not given enough time for regeneration. It is over cultivated season in, season out.
(d) There is low agricultural output due to the use of simple tools and manual labour.
(e) The farmers resist modern farming practices and advice. This leads to little output of low quality.
(f) The system is not able to keep pace with the increase in population since production is mainly for home consumption.
 (g) There is a high risk of the spread of pests and diseases to the crops. This affects the crop yields.
Activity 11.8
Work in groups of five. Improved farming methods lead to food security in the country.
1. Visit the farmers who practice subsistence farming in the areas near your school.
 2. Observe their farming methods and suggest ways in which they can improve their farming and hence outputs.
3. Advise the farmers in the area near your school and home on how to improve their farming methods.
4. Write a report and share it with your classmates and also with the farmers you visited.
Task 11.1
1. Differentiate between horticulture and market gardening.
2. Discuss the reason behind the widespread practice of subsistence farming in the country.
3. Explain why subsistence farming is important to the country’s economy.

Plantation farming

 Activity 11.9
 Work in pairs.
 Use the Internet, dictionary and other geographical documents.
1. Define plantation farming.
2. Share the findings of your discussion with other class members.
Plantation farming or plantation agriculture is a form of commercial farming where crops are grown for profit. Large land areas are needed for this type of farming. Crops grown in plantation farming are mostly cash crops.
Major plantation crops and areas where they are grown
 Activity 11.10
Work in pairs.
1. Name the crops that are grown in plantations in Rwanda.
2. Identify the areas where the crops named are cultivated.
3. Discuss them in a class presentation.

The crops grown in plantation farming in Rwanda are cash crops. They include the following:
 (a) Coffee
This is one of the most successfully grown cash crops in Rwanda. It holds the second position of Rwanda’s exports after tea. It is grown in small farms throughout the country as opposed to large plantations. Coffee was first grown in Rwanda in 1902. Later on, it was successfully grown in Kabgayi in1907. In 1930 Arabica coffee was introduced to the whole country.
                                  
(b) Tea
 This crop was introduced much later than coffee. During the colonial times it was grown on two private farms of Gicumbi and Rulindo. Today, tea is grown at Gisakura, Shagasha,Pfunda,Mulindi,Nyabihu,Mata, Kitabi and Gisovu. Tea accounts for about 20% of Rwanda’s exports.

                        
(c) Pyrethrum
This crop was introduced to the Volcanoes Park neighbourhood at between altitudes 2200m and 2700m above sea level. This crop is grown in Nyabihu, Musanze, Rubavu and Burera districts.
                            
Characteristics of plantation farming
Activity 11.11
Work in groups.
Your teacher will organise for you to visit one of the plantation farms in the country. While on the visit;
1. Identify the characteristics of the plantation crop in the farm that you have visited.
 2. Relate the characteristics identified to other plantation crops and farms in the country.
3. Write a report on your findings and present it in a class discussion.
Some of the characteristics of plantation farming in Rwanda include the following:
(a) Crops are grown on a large-scale usually covering thousands of hectares of land.
 (b) One or two crops are grown in the farms.
(c) A huge labour force is required comprising of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.
(d) Plantation farming requires heavy capital investment to purchase machinery and establish infrastructure.
 (e) Production is mainly for the market and not for the farmers’ consumption.
(f) Most of the plantation farms are owned by the government, foreigners or cooperative societies which have the capital required to inject in the business.
 (g) The plantations are scientifically managed. They use machineries, fertilisers, hybrid seeds and irrigation by pipes and overhead sprinklers.
The crops are planted in neat rows.
(i) The plantation farms have welldeveloped networks of transport connecting plantation areas, processing industries and markets.
 (j) There is specialisation of labour since in the farms workers are assigned specific tasks.

Factors favouring plantation agriculture in Rwanda
Activity 11.12
Work in groups.
 Under the guidance of your teacher, visit a plantation farm in the country. In groups of five;
1. Find out the factors that favour the plantation farming of the crop.
 2. Relate the factors identified to other plantation farms in the country.
 3. Write them down and discuss them in a class presentation.
There are physical and human factors that favour plantation farming in the country. They are discussed below.
Physical factors
 (a) The presence of heavy and reliable rainfall throughout the year.
 (b) The presence of moderate temperatures that favour ripening of crops for easy harvesting.
(c) The existence of deep, fertile and well drained soils which favour the growth of perennial crops such as coffee, sugar cane, tea.
 (d) Relief: The presence of vast and extensive land which slopes gently enabling mechanisation of the farms.
(e) Areas where plantation farming takes place are free from pests and diseases.

Human factors
 (a) Improved transport and communication networks linking up different areas.
(b) Improved technology manifested by the use of advanced machines, fertilisers and irrigation.
 (c) Presence of capital provided by foreigners, governments and cooperatives which is used to pay workers or purchase the input.
(d) Supportive government policies such as allowing foreign investors to invest in plantation farming, construction of transport routes connecting plantations to market areas and tax holidays.
(e) Existence of large pieces of flat lands that are 100 hectares and above which enable large scale growing of crops and use of machines.
(f) Availability of capital to buy machines, cater for workers and buy other farm inputs such as fertilisers.
(g) Presence of both skilled and semi-skilled workers who provide labour that is used in the farms.
Existence of good transport and communication systems to transport the produce from plantations to processing centres, products to market centres.
(i) Large markets both at the local and international levels to consume products from plantations.
Advantages and disadvantages of plantation farming
Activity 11.13
In a field visit to one of the plantation farms, find out the following from a resource person. Work in groups of five:
1. The advantages of plantation agriculture.
2. The disadvantages of plantation agriculture.
3. Write down a report of your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Advantages of plantation farming
 There are various advantages of plantation farming in Rwanda. They include the following:
(a) Plantation farming has led to the development of industries.
(b) Plantation farming has promoted agricultural research which has improved quality of the produce.
 (c) Plantation farming has provided employment opportunities to the citizens of Rwanda.
 (d) Plantation farming is a source of government revenue through taxes, fines and exports.
 (e) It has led to self reliance. The country has export products that it depends on.
(f) Plantation farming promotes export, bilateral and multilateral trade in cash crops.
(g) It has helped in the development of the rural areas through the construction of feeder roads.
The government earns foreign exchange through exports.
 (i) It has helped to foster international relationships with other countries through international trade.
(j) Plantation farming supports research and study.

Disadvantages of plantation farming
(a) The cultivation of one type of crop exhausts the soils reducing their fertility and therefore productivity. (b) The agricultural produce such as coffee and tea are subject to price fluctuations. This leads to severe losses when the prices go down.
(c) The plantations are greatly affected by the changes in the weather conditions such as too much rainfall, strong winds or sometimes drought.
(d) Diseases and pests spread very fast in plantations. Once one crop is attacked by a disease or pest, it easily spreads to the whole plantation.
(e) Most plantations are owned by foreigners. This leads to profit repatriation. The country does not therefore benefit from the farms.
(f) It leads to shortage of food crops since the crops produced are cash crops.
 (g) It encourages rural-rural migration which off balances rural economic development.
  There is overproduction of the produce cultivated in plantation farming.
 (i) There is stiff competition from other countries that also practice plantation farming.
(j) The use of machines has replaced human labour leading to a class of unemployed people.
(k) Some of the machines that are used in the processing the crops in plantation farms have negative effects on the environment.
Case study
Tea plantation
Activity 11.14
Work in pairs.
Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information.
 1. Find out the specific plantation farms in Rwanda, the areas where they are found and the crops that are grown n the farms.
2. Write down your findings and present them in class.
Kitabi tea plantation
The Kitabi tea plantation is owned by the Kitabi Tea Company Ltd. that is located in the Southern Province of the country. The company has tea plantations, a tea factory and a firewood forest. It is located in Nyamagabe district, in the Southern Province along the northern boundary of the Nyungwe natural forest. It is situated at 2,300 metres above sea level. The company is located 5 kilometres away from the main Nyamagabe road. It is approximately 187 kilometres from Kigali. Kitabi tea bushes are grown on rich drained soils. 850 hectares of the land with tea bushes belong to the out grower tea farmers of the Cobacyamu cooperative and 800 hectares belong to the company. The firewood forest occupies 540 hectares of land located in and around the tea plantations. Natural resources are protected through agricultural practices that are friendly. Kitabi Tea Company Ltd. provides a safe professional working environment to its employees, focusing on the welfare of the workers. It also supports the communities neighbouring tea plantations.
Kitabi Tea Company Ltd. contributes to alleviating poverty within the local communities through providing employment to 5,000 people and periodically distributing cows to the most vulnerable households. It has also assisted in the construction of a vocational school to equip children with life skills.

Kitabi Tea Company Ltd has products like:
• Green tea which is produced at the Kitabi Tea Company Ltd. This is mostly available in blended and packaged forms. Rwanda Mountain Tea has majority shares in the tea blending company.
• Black tea which is also produced by the Rwanda Mountain Tea Ltd. company. The company produces some of the best black tea in Central and Eastern Africa. This black tea produces a dark coppery brew with rich, full-bodied flavours. Most of these tea types are offered for sale at the Mombasa market in Kenya.
                           
Sugarcane
plantation Kabuye / Nyacyonga, Nyabarongo valley Estates
Kabuye/Nyacyonga, and Nyabarongo valley are sugarcane estates that are owned by the Kabuye Sugar Works. It is the sole sugar company in the country. The company produces about 30% of the sugar market supply. The company is owned by the Madhvani group, a Ugandan based firm.
The processing factory gets sugarcane from its plantations at Nyacyonga and Nyabarongo valleys. The sugarcane is grown on the swampy soils. This has always affected the production of sugar during the rainy seasons when the floods affect the estates, destroying hundreds of hectares of sugar plantations.
Sugarcane production from these fields is supplemented by sugarcane that is bought from the outgrowers, who still use the reclaimed swampy areas to plant their sigarcane. The company is supported by Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, which has introduced agricultural extension services that assist the sugarcane growers
by providing them with high yielding, quick maturing and disease resistant varieties of sugarcane. There is a campaign run by the management of Kabuye Sugar Works to encourage upland cultivation in order to increase sugarcane production. The company is now expanding the sugarcane estates in a joint operation with the Dutch Government under the Nyabugongo land reclamation project. In this project, 200 hectares of land are being prepared and planted.
The Kabuye Sugar Works has the capacity of producing 60,000 tonnes of sugar but only produces 10,000 tonnes due to limited supply of sugarcane.
                         
Task 11.2
1. Is plantation agriculture necessary in Rwanda? Discuss.
2. Analyse the challenges faced by plantation agriculture in the country.
3. Suggest ways in which plantation agriculture can be improved in Rwanda.
Agriculture modernisation in Rwanda
Activity 11.15
 Work in pairs. Study the photographs shown below and answer the questions that follow.

Definition
 Agricultural modernisation is the process of transforming the agricultural sector into one that is dynamic, technologically advanced and competitive yet centred on human resource development and guided by the sound principles of social justice. This is meant to increase yields. Agricultural modernisation is not only tied down to the use of machines but deals with the use of any improved methods of farming that enable farmers to increase their produce.
Factors for modernisation of agriculture
Activity 11.16
Work in groups of three.
Use the Internet and your local environment.
1. Find out and explain the factors that influence modernisation of agriculture in Rwanda.
2. Write down the factors and discuss them in a class presentation.
Factors that enable agricultural modernisation in the country include the following

(a) The availability of capital that is essential in the purchase of modern equipment, improved seed varieties, hiring skilled labour, research and meeting the cost of implementation.
b) Supportive government policies on land reforms. This avails more land for modern agricultural practices. (c) Use of research findings and scientific discoveries in agricultural activities.
(d) Education on modern methods of agriculture both in crop cultivation and animal husbandry.
(e) Partners from foreign, developed countries and finance institutions who are ready to help turn around agricultural activities in the country.
(f) Commercialisation of agriculture which makes farmers willing to embrace modernisation so as to increase their yields and thus profits.
 (g) Improved technological advancement in the country that manifests itself through the use of improved farming methods such as irrigation farming.
Availability of skilled labour in the modernisation of agricultural practices.
Activity 11.17
 Work in pairs. 
Study the photographs provided below and use them to answer the questions that follow.

1. Describe the types of cattle breeds that are shown in the photographs.
2. Which of the cattle breeds is as a result of modernisation of agriculture?
 3. Give reasons for your answer in (2) above.
4. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Methods used to modernise agriculture
Activity 11.18
Work in pairs.
Use the Internet and your local environment.
1. Find out and discuss the methods used to modernise agriculture in Rwanda.
 2. Write them down and present them in a class discussion.
Some of the ways through which agriculture is modernised include the following.
 (a) Use of irrigation.
(b) Use of hybrid seeds.
(c) Use of artificial insemination.
(d) Use of improved farm tools and machines in the farming practices such as for planting, weeding and harvesting. (e) Use of chemical fertilisers.
 (f) Training farmers. (g) Use of improved methods of crop cultivation such as terracing, mulching, use of contours, strip cultivation, agroforestry, etc .
Land consolidation in order to increase the cultivatable land and yields.
(i) Improved weed control measures such as spraying herbicides and the use of integrated weed control methods.
(j) Preparation of seeds before storage.
(k) Use of improved storage facilities for agricultural produce such as use of silos to store maize.
Problems limiting agriculture modernisation in Rwanda
 Activity 11.19
Work in groups of three.
Use your local environment.
 1. Discuss the problems hindering agricultural modernisation in Rwanda.
 2. Write them down and discuss them in a class presentation.
There are various challenges that affect agricultural modernisation in Rwanda.They include the following.

(a) Limited capital: Most farmers in Rwanda are poor. They do not have enough capital to buy farm machinery, pay workers and to improve their facilities.
 (b) Unfavourable topography: Most areas in Rwanda have steep slopes with rugged terrain. This limits m e c h a n i s a t i o n o f a g r i c u l t u re because the areas are inaccessible.
 (c) Unfavourable climatic conditions: Areas such as the Eastern Province have little rainfall. This limits the water volumes in the rivers thus less water for irrigation. This limits agricultural modernisation.
(d) Limited skilled labour: Rwanda has low levels of skilled manpower to improve agriculture. Most rural farmers are still illiterate and have not embraced modernisation of agriculture.
(e) Poor storage facilities: The storage facilities used in the country are fairly archaic. This affects yields of crops such as maize and beans which are frequently attacked by weevils. It is also a challenge to store perishable produce like cabbages, tomatoes and carrots.
(f) Unfavourable land tenure system: Some people own very big plots of land while others have small plots of land. There is also too much land fragmentation. The land has been subdivided into very small pieces that cannot support modernisation of agriculture.
 (g) Poor soils: Some areas in Rwanda such as areas of Umutara and Ngoma in the Southern Province, have sandy soils. These soils are a problem to modernisation of agriculture.
  Population increase: Population growth increases pressure on land. This pressure creates competition between the need for settlement and modernisation of agricultural practices.
(i) Poor uptake of technology and slow technological advancements: Most farmers in Rwanda still use traditional methods of farming. They use simple tools like pangas and hoes. This is a problem to the efforts to modernise agriculture.
(j) Limited markets: Many Rwandans a r e u n e m p l o y e d l o w i n c o m e earners. There is therefore no local market for the high yields realised from modernisation of agriculture.
(k) Inaccessibility of some parts of the country: Most farms in Rwanda are located in the rural areas where there are no transport facilities. It therefore becomes very difficult to modernise agriculture in such remote areas.
 (i) Low financial capability: The farm in-puts in Rwanda are expensive. Since a majority of the Rwandans are peasant farmers who cannot afford them. This is a drawback to the modernisation of agriculture.
Ways of improving agricultural production in Rwanda
 Activity 11.20
 Work in pairs. Use your local environment and the Internet;
1. Research and suggest ways of improving agricultural production in the country.
2. Write down your findings and discuss them in a class presentation.
Some of the ways in which agriculture in Rwanda can be improved include the following.
(a) Organising farmers into farming cooperatives so that they are able to cultivate land on a large-scale.
(b) Provision of improved seed varieties that have a short maturity period and high yielding capacity.
 (c) Cross breeding the local breeds with the exotic ones so as to have improved breeds.
 (d) Establishment of large scale irrigation schemes based on co-operative farming.
(e) Encouraging the farmers to use improved methods of farming to reduce wastage of resources.
(f) Extending credit schemes to the rural farmers through Saccos such as the Umurenge SACCO.
(g) Mass education programs given to farmers with an aim of equipping them with the agricultural modernisation techniques.
  Use of both artificial fertilisers and organic manures to improve productivity in the smaller farms.
(i) The government should increase its provision of farm inputs and machineries such as tractors that can be affordably accessed by famers through saccos.
(j) Establishment of storage facilities in every sector so that seeds to be planted in the next season are preserved.
 (k) More demonstration and agricultural research centres should established to enable more research.
 (l) Implementation of land reform programs so that people are resettled in specific areas so that more land is created for agricultural activities.
Livestock farming
Activity 11.21
Work in pairs. Use the Internet, a dictionary and your local environment.
1. Define livestock farming.
2. Name the livestock that are reared in Rwanda.
3. Discuss this in class.
Livestock farming is the rearing of domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs for food (milk or meat), fibre and labour. The people of Rwanda are well- known for animal keeping. Animal keeping is part of the Rwandan culture. The animals are reared for both subsistence and commercial purposes.
Livestock farming in Rwanda is divided into two types.
1. Traditional livestock farming
2. Modern livestock farming
Definition of ranching
Activity 11.22
Work in pairs.
Use the Internet, dictionary and other sources of geographical information;
1. Define the following terms:
(a) Ranching
(b) Dairying
(c) Zero grazing
2. Discuss the meanings in a class presentation.
Ranching is the practice of raising or grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat, wool or skin and hides in large tracts of land. Ranching in the livestock industry is growing faster than any other agricultural sector in the world. The animals reared in ranches are usually for commercial purposes
In Rwanda ranches are found in Bugesera, Nyagatare, Gatsibo and Ngoma areas. There are also ranches found in other parts of the country on a small scale. Animals reared on ranches include: Ankole, Jersey, Friesian, Brown Swiss and Sahiwal breeds of cattle. Ankole is the local breed of cattle that has long horns.
Definition of dairying
Dairying refers to the business of producing, storing and distributing milk and its products. In dairy farming, livestock are reared for milk production for both subsistence and commercial purposes. Breeds of cattle kept for dairy farming include Friesian and Jersey
Definition of zero grazing
Zero grazing is farming method that involves keeping cows inside enclosed shelters feeding them and rather than letting them feed in the fields. Zero-grazing is a good system of keeping dairy cattle in densely populated areas, where land is small. Dairy farmers sometimes zero graze their cattle.

Characteristics of ranching
 Below are the characteristics of ranching.
 (a) The animals kept are both for beef and milk production.
(b) Improved breeds of sheep, goats and cattle are kept.
 (c) Animals are reared on land individually owned or under cooperative units.
(d) Animals are kept for commercial purposes i.e. to earn income.
 (e) The movement of animals is confined to the paddock within the ranch.
 (f) There is grazing on both natural and artificial pastures, for example Alfalfa.
(g) Exotic breeds, cross breeds and local breeds are all kept together.
Ranches are scientifically managed and there is use of artificial insemination, food mixers, de-worming, de-horning, and dipping among other modern practices.
 (i) There is neither overgrazing nor overstocking in ranches.
 (j) A huge capital investment is required to purchase machinery, pay workers, fence off the ranches and to maintain them.
(k) There is constant record keeping of all inputs and outputs.

Characteristics of dairy farming in Rwanda
Below are the characteristics of dairy farming.
 (a) Improved breeds of animals are reared. These have a high milk yielding capacity.
(b) There are paddocks which are well facilitated with watering places.
(c) There is a scientific approach towards animal keeping such as spraying, vaccination and other veterinary services.
(d) The local breeds of animals are crossed with exotic ones and other improved hybrid animals for quality.
(e) Dairy farms are usually established near the markets since the products are perishable.
(f) The animals are grazed on both natural and sometimes manufactured animal feeds.
 (g) The animals are kept on a relatively huge land where the movement of animals is restricted. They are sometimes zero grazed.
              
Types of dairy farming
(a) Extensively grazed dairy farming
This type of dairy farming suits locations with warmer climates. This is because cattle spend most of their time outside. The system needs a moderate amount of rain and temperatures that are warm enough to encourage grass to grow for as many months as possible. Careful management of pastures ensures a bountiful supply of fresh food for the cattle. When there is lack of pasture, farmers use stored or purchased fodder to make up for the loss of grass.
(b) Pasture-based dairy farming
This type of farming involves raising cattle in fields during warm months and housing them in covered sheds during cold months. Depending on the location’s climate, cattle may be in shelters for half of the year or more. These sheds also provide protective cover for cattle during periods of unusually hot weather to avoid heat-stressing the herd. Pasture-based dairy farming decreases the need to store large amounts of manure by recycling it as fertiliser for grass production.
 (c) Housed dairy farming
This type of dairy farming involves raising cattle that spend most of the year in a controlled space inside a shed. Housed systems keep cattle in modern sheds. To ensure maximum comfort for the herd, stalls are designed with room for movement, bedding and feeding areas. Feed consists of freshly cut grass or silage mixed with commercial supplements. This is the most practiced method in the country.
(d) Experimental dairy farming
 Experimental dairy farming is based on research improvements in dairy farming. They use a variety and combination of farming methods to find the safest and most economical way to provide dairy foods for the market. Important research into new cow diseases, breeding or drought-tolerant grasses are undertaken in consultation with local, national and international universities. Some also provide training for farmers in new techniques and technology. Others maintain field staff to visit farms and promote dairy farming locally and nationally
Areas of dairy farming
 Areas where dairy farming is practiced in the country include;
• Nyanza
• Bugesera
• Huye
• Muhazi
 • Nyagatare
• The outskirts of Kigali City.
Factors hindering the development of dairy farming
 Activity 11.23
Your teacher will organise a field visit for you to visit a dairy farm. In groups of five;
1. Find out the factors that hinder the development of dairy farming in the dairy farm that you have visited. 2. Relate these factors to diary farming in the country.
3. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Factors that hinder the development of dairy farming in Rwanda include the following.
(a) Poor climatic conditions characterised by prolonged dry seasons. This leads to shortage of water and pasture.
 (b) The presence of pests and diseases that claim a large a number of animals especially the exotic ones. (c) The dairy farmers in Rwanda still use poor methods of farming.
(d) There is inadequate market for the dairy products both locally and regionally.
(e) The dairy farms in Rwanda are located in rural areas where roads are poor and impassable especially during the rainy season. The dairy products end up getting spoilt.
 (f) Most farmers are poor and do not have enough funds. This has made many farmers unable to modernise their operations.
 (g) Absence of veterinary services especially in rural areas.
There are still inadequate modern storage facilities of dairy products. This has always made farmers incur losses.
 (i) There is competition from imported milk products such as the condensed milk from South Africa and Holland.
Ways of improving the livestock farming in Rwanda
Activity 11.24
 Work in groups of five.
 Visit livestock farmers in the sector where your school is found.
1. Identify the problems encountered by the livestock farmers.
 2. Find out ways in which livestock farming in the country can be improved.
3. Write a report on your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Some of the ways through which livestock farming can be improved include:
 (a) Use of improved, modern methods of farming such as paddocking.
(b) Supplementing natural pasture with artificial animal feeds.
(c) Extending veterinary services to all the areas where livestock keeping is practiced.
(d) Replacing the local breeds of animals with the exotic to increase the out-put. Where possible, cross breeding should be introduced.
(e) Milk processing industries should be established so that a large market for the dairy produce can be created.
(f) Pests and diseases should be controlled through constant spraying. Frequent checks and monitoring of diseased animals should be done in order to isolate the diseased animals in time to avoid the spread of diseases.
(g) The farmers should be organised into cooperative societies so that they pool resources together and be able to secure credit facilities from financial institutions.
Several milk collecting centres should be established near the farmers to avoid wastage.
 (i) Transport facilities should be established and the existing ones rehabilitated so that the farmers are able to transport the livestock farm produce as quickly as possible.
(j) The government should come up with supportive policies that will encourage foreign investors to establish commercial livestock farms in the country.
Keeping small animals
 Activity 11.25
Work in pairs.
Use the Internet and other geographical sources of information.
1. Identify the types of small animals that are reared in Rwanda.
2. Give the importance of the small animals that are kept by farmers in the country.
 3. Write your findings in a class discussion.
The keeping of livestock involves the keeping of animals such as rabbits, sheep, goats, pigs, bees and poultry. These animals are reared for both domestic and commercial purposes.
                             
                           
In many parts of Rwanda, small animals are mainly kept for domestic use. There are also farmers who keep them in large scale for commercial purposes. The rearing of small animals is mostly carried out by small income earners.
Pig keeping This is a common activity in Rwanda. Many households keep pigs. They are kept to earn farmers income from the sale of their meat. Pig keeping is done in a small scale. They are kept in all areas of the country
However, most pig farmers are found in Huye, Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe districts in the Southern Province of the country
Poultry keeping
This is the rearing of birds. Poultry keeping in Rwanda is done on both traditional and modern scales. Traditional poultry keeping is the most practiced form of poultry keeping. Almost every home in the villages has a chicken. The poultry are kept for domestic and commercial purposes. Modern poultry keeping is done on a large scale because it is fully commercial. Different birds are kept for eggs and for meat.
                          
Goat and sheep keeping
Many households in Rwanda keep goats and sheep alongside crop growing. However, this is done on a small scale. Goats and sheep are mainly kept for their meat. However, some goats also produce milk. Most farmers sell their goats and sheep as a source of income.
The goats and sheep kept can withstand the local environmental conditions especially the indigenous breeds. Goats and sheep are kept almost in all areas of the country but mostly in Nyamagabe, Rubavu,Gicumbi, Kayonza and Bugesera.
                            
Rabbit keeping
Rabbit keeping is also known as cuniculture. Rabbits are kept for their meat and skin. They have a significant potential to improve the food security of small farmers in Rwanda.
Rabbits are kept in different parts of the country. They are kept in areas such as Munyaga Sector, Rwamagana District in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. They are mostly kept by rural communities who lack employment, capital and land. Rabbits breed within a very short period of time. It is easy and cheap to maintain rabbits because they feed on forage, grass, banana peels and cabbage leaves.
Apiculture
Apiculture is the keeping of bees for honey. The honey is sold for consumption. Although the honey produced can be used domestically, beekeeping is usually done for commercial purposes. The keeping of bees has become a common practice in many areas of Rwanda. Traditional bee keeping takes place in many areas. It involves keeping bees in traditional hives called comb hives. Hollow structures are used as hives. The hives are made from locally available materials that are cheap and easy to find. The honey that is harvested is processed and consumed locally while some is also exported. Beekeeping is the most convenient form of farming because it does not involve expenses of feeding or treating diseases. Areas in Rwanda where beekeeping is common are Gishwati and other forested areas such as Nyungwe, Birunga and other areas with many trees. The use of herbicides and insecticides on crops affects bees.
                      
Factors affecting the keeping of small animals
Activity 11.26
Work in pairs.
Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information.
1. Find out factors that influence the keeping of small animals in Rwanda.
 2. Find out the factors that affect the keeping of small animals in Rwanda.
3. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion
Some of the factors that affect the keeping of small animals include the following.
 (a) Indigenous breeds do not reproduce quickly. This mostly affects goat breeds.
(b) Traditional grazing methods use the free range method making the control of diseases difficult. The quality of feed is also poor. This mostly affects goat keeping.
(c) Breeding of the small animals is by natural methods. This facilitates the spread of diseases in the animals.
(d) Some communities have cultural traditions against drinking goat milk, eating rabbit meat and consuming other products from the small animals.
 (e) Failure to feed the animals well.
nvironment in the country. They easily get sick and die.
  Some animal feeds are expensive to buy.
 (i) Since most of the small animals occupy small spaces in confinements, it is easy for them to spread diseases.
 (j) The farmers lack capital to modernise their animal keeping practice.
Methods of improving the keeping of small animals
Activity 11.27
 Your teacher will take you to a field visit to a farmer who keeps small animals. Observe the animals and do the following.
Work in groups of five.
1. Find out the challenges encountered in the farm.
2. Suggest methods which small animal farmers in Rwanda can use to improve their yields.
3. Write a report on your findings and suggestions and present them in a class discussion.

Some of the methods of improving the keeping of small animals include the following.
 (a) Crossbreeding of the animals to create better and improved breeds.
 (b) Feeding the animals on well balanced feeds to supplement the pasture.
(c) Regular inspection of the animals by qualified veterinary doctors.
(d) Isolation of diseased animals to avoid the spread of diseases.
(e) Ensuring that the size of the flock corresponds to the carrying capacity of the shed where the animals are kept.
 (f) Purchasing the animals or birds to be reared from reliable, controlled and registered sources.
 (g) Construction of well-ventilated sheds to avoid suffocation of the animals.
Constant cleaning of the places where the animals are kept.
Importance of keeping small animals
 Activity 11.28
 Work in groups of three.
Visit a farmer who keeps small animals within your local environment.
1. Find out the importance of keeping specific small animals to the farmers and to the country.
2. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.

The rearing of small animals is important in the following ways.
 (a) The animals are a source of income to the poor.
 (b) The animals lead to economic development through trade between rural and urban areas.
(c) The keeping of small animals leads to small scale industrial development like meat canning in urban centres.
 (d) Keeping of small animals helps to diversify the sources of income in the home thus reducing dependence on crop farming.
 (e) Smaller animals improve the quality of life of the poor people in the rural areas through improved nutrition.
(f) There is a steady supply of organic manure that is rich with nutrients.
3. Feed the animals well, clean the animal shed and vaccinate them.
4. Sell their produce to your school and to the market outside.
Problems affecting livestock in Rwanda and their solutions
Activity 11.29
 With the help of your Geography teacher, prepare for a fieldwork study to a farm that keeps livestock.
 1. Study and find out the problems that affect livestock in the farm.
2. Relate these problems to livestock in the country.
3. Suggest the solutions to the problems affecting livestock in Rwanda.
 4. Write down your findings and present them in a class presentation.

Some of the problems that affect livestock in Rwanda include the following.
 (a) Harsh climatic conditions especially during the dry seasons when the pasture dries up, wells and springs disappear.
(b) Inadequate capital to modernise livestock keeping.
 (c) Lack of sufficient markets for the products from the livestock.
(d) Shortage of supply of skilled labour that is required in the modernisation of livestock farming.
 (e) Poor transport networks and facilities.
(f) Pests and diseases which affect the animals.
 (g) The general lack of pasture has affected livestock farming in Rwanda.
Livestock are attacked by wild animals such as leopards and lions in areas that are near forest.
(i) There is overstocking of animals in some farms leading to severe soil erosion.
(j) Lack of veterinary services and facilities in some areas of the country.
 (k) There is stiff competition from other countries such as Uganda, Kenya and European countries which also practice livestock keeping and process products.
(l) The farmers still keep indigenous animals whose productivity is very poor.

Solutions to the problems affecting livestock in Rwanda
In spite of the fact that livestock farming in the country faces problems, there are solutions that are put in place to address them. They include the following.
(a) The farmers are getting credits from the financial institutions to finance their farming activities.
 (b) Farmers have organised themselves into cooperative societies to market their produce within the country and in the region.
 (c) The farmers have embraced cross breeding and artificial insemination in order to have the best breeds of cattle.
 (d) The government uses skilled labour from other neighbouring countries.
(e) The movement of animals should be restricted and paddocking emphasised.
(f) Animals should be supplied with commercial feeds to supplement the natural pastures.
(g) There should be rehabilitation and construction of roads especially the feeder roads that serve the rural areas.
The farmers should plant fodder crops and pasture to ensure a constant supply of pasture throughout the year.
 (i) Farmers should take disease prevention measures to protect the animals.
(j) Agro-based industries should be established to add value to the livestock products and to create market for the products.
(k) Farmers should be educated on matters concerning livestock farming.
Activity 11.30
 Use the Internet and your local environment.
 1. Examine the economic contribution of livestock farming in Rwanda.
2. Analyse the problems associated with livestock farming to the country.
3. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.
There are important contributions of livestock farming to the economy of Rwanda. They include the following.
 (a) Livestock farming has created employment to many people in the country.
 (b) Livestock farming provides tha citizens of Rwanda with food in the form of milk, meat, fish, pork, ghee and butter.
(c) The livestock farm owners pay taxes to the government. The revenue collected is used to cater for the socio-economic development of the country.
(d) Some of the products from livestock farms are exported. The exports earn the country foreign exchange.
(e) There are many industries that have been set up that entirely depend on the livestock farms as a source of raw materials.
(f) Farmers get profits from the sale of products from their livestock. This improves their standards of living. (g) There has been development of various infrastructure ranging from transport networks to industrial and collecting centres.
Some of the animals such as the royal long horned traditional cows of Rwanda commonly known as the Inyambo attract tourists.
(i) Livestock farming has contributed a lot to the preservation of some aspects of the Rwandan culture. This is expressed in the payment of dowry and strengthening of friendships as a sign of brotherhood.

The importance of agriculture to the economy of Rwanda
Activity 11.31
Work in groups of three.
 Use your local environment.
1. Were it not have been for agriculture, Rwanda would not be where it is. Justify the importance of agriculture to the economy of the country.
2. Write a report on the contribution and present it in a class presentation.
The following are some of the importances of agriculture to the economy of Rwanda.
(a) Rwanda’s economy greatly depends on the export of agricultural crops especially tea and coffee.
(b) Agriculture is a source of employment to thousands of the people who make up the Rwandan population.
 (c) There are different agricultural industries in Rwanda. The agro-based industries pay taxes to the government. All these help the country to earn revenue that is used to develop the nation.
(d) Agriculture in Rwanda has led to the development of industries. In this way, it has contributed to the industrialisation of the country.
(e) Agriculture has enabled the country to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on tourism and mining.
 (f) There has been construction of dams and valley run-off harvesting centres which assist the communities by providing additional water supply to be used during the dry season and in other services. (g) There has been establishments of research centres in Rwanda. This has benefitted farmers in finding out new and improved seed varieties and other agricultural innovations hence improved productivity.
  Agriculture has contributed a lot to the establishment of various infrastructure such as roads which play a great role in the development of the country.
(i) Agriculture has contributed to the development of urban centres which have their own advantages. For example Muvanze and Rwamagana towns.

Activity 11.32
Do this individually.
Use the Internet, Geography textbooks and other sources of geographical information.
1. Discuss the relationship between crop and livestock farming.
2. Write an essay on how they impact each other.
3. Present your work for assessment by your teacher.
Task 11.5
1. Differentiate between the following terms:
   (a) Ranching and dairy farming
    (b) Livestock farming and the keeping of small animals.
2. Highlight the problems affecting livestock in Rwanda.
3. Suggest solutions to the problems highlighted.
Did you know?
• Agriculture is the foundation of the Rwandan economy, accounting for onethird of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing nearly 80% of the labour force.
 • Agricultural productivity in Rwanda is extremely low. The vast majority of farmers practice subsistence farming on small and hilly plots.
• Due to erosion and poor soil fertility practices, up to half of the country’s land is severely degraded.
• Modernisation of agriculture is still very limited.
• Due to low agricultural productivity, nearly half of all Rwandan agricultural households experience food insecurity.
• Major export markets of Rwanda’s agricultural products include China, Germany, and the United States.

End of unit revision task
1. Give and explain five reasons showing how the hilly terrain of Rwanda is a problem to agricultural modernisation.
2. (a) Explain what is meant by commercial livestock farming in Rwanda.
    (b) Describe the challenges faced by the livestock farmers in Rwanda.
     (c) Explain the physical conditions that favour ranching in Rwanda.
3. Examine the role played by agriculture in industrial development in Rwanda.
4. (a) What is land consolidation? (b) Identify and explain factors that have hindered land use in Rwanda. 5. Coffee and tea are considered to be industrial crops for the economic development of Rwanda.
     (a) Describe the factors which have favoured the growing of coffee and tea in Rwanda.
     (b) Analyse the benefits of either coffee or tea to the people of Rwanda.
     (c) Examine the problems faced by farmers who plant the crop chosen in (b) above.
6. To what extent have physical factors been responsible for the development of plantation farming in Rwanda?
7. Assess the contribution of agricultural co-operative societies to development of Rwanda.
 8. (a) Describe the main features of improved subsistence farming in Rwanda.
     (b) Assess the contribution of small holder farming to the socioeconomic development of Rwanda.
9. Explain the following agricultural concepts:
    (a) Market gardening
    (b) Subsistence farming
    (c) Plantation agriculture
    (d) Pastoralism
     (e) Ranching
10. (a) Define agricultural modernisation.
       (b) Explain the factors that have favoured the development of agricultural modernisation in Rwanda.
11. Analyse the challenges that have hindered the implementation of agricultural modernisation in Rwanda. 12. Account for low agricultural productivity in Rwanda.
13. (a) Name the crops grown in Rwanda under plantation agriculture.
       (b) List and explain the characteristics of plantation agriculture in the Rwandan context.
14. Distinguish between small animal farming and ranching in Rwanda.
15. Account for the successful development of small animal farming in Rwanda.