Abstract
Rapid intensive agriculture often generates serious environmental concerns including soil erosion, water pollution and greenhouses gases. This paper assesses the impact of agriculture and its practices on environment in Rwanda from 1990 to 2012. Data provided by the World Bank were analyzed with Origin Pro 9 for statistical analysis. Also, a review on physical-chemical parameters and heavy metals of water resources home to or surrounded by cultivated mountains was adopted in this study. The results showed that agricultural records decreased from 1990 to 1994. However, after then, the short season cropland like cereals increased from 7.04 to 17.45%; roots and tubers increased from 13.17 to 21.69% in 1995 and 2012, respectively, whilst permanent cropland remained constant at 10.13%. As Rwandan soil is almost steep slope, this heavily exposes the soil to erosion, fertility loss and landslides as permanent crops to enhance fertility and erosion control are decreasing. Also, fertilizers increased from 2,149 to 27,748 tons, irrigation spaced from 4,000 to 10,000 ha which can be the reasons of rise of agricultural emissions. The reviewed studies estimated high concentration of the total nitrogen, total suspended solids, manganese, lead and iron exceeding the standards of the European Union and World Health Organization. From the above findings, it is suggested to regularly monitor water quality and promote its purification measures, to fertilize and irrigate timely and appropriately, expand areas under agroforestry and permanent crops, promote bench terraces practices for durable soil erosion control and water quality in Rwanda. Key words: Agriculture, environment, Rwanda, soil erosion, water pollution.
Highlights
Emissions from agriculture, forestry and fishery worldwide, nearly doubled over the last 50 years and could increase at 30% in 2050 mainly being driven by population growth
To determine the impact on water resources, this study adopted the review methodology from previous studies conducted at Lake Muhazi, Akagera Transboundary River, Nyabugogo River, RweruMugesera Wetland, Congo and Nile Basins (Rwandan Subcatchments) and Kadahokwa Water Treatment Plant (Mupenzi et al, 2009; Nshimiyimana et al, 2010; REMA, 2014; RNRA, 2012; Sekomo et al, 2011; Usanzineza et al, 2011; Uwimana et al, 2010; Wali et al, 2011), where agriculture and human activities were attributed to the changes on physical-chemical parameters and heavy metals of these water resources considered (Tables 2 and 3)
Emissions from agriculture and other land uses in Rwanda
Summary
Emissions from agriculture, forestry and fishery worldwide, nearly doubled over the last 50 years and could increase at 30% in 2050 mainly being driven by population growth. Land use and land cover change through industrialization, urbanization and agricultural expansion are due to a strong dependence on natural resources (Ademiluyi et al, 2008; Brink and Eva, 2009; Foley et al, 2005). Agriculture is the backbone of Rwandan economy; it contributes 33% of the national GPD and 70% of the country’ export revenues. The sector employs 80% of the population and can be subdivided into food crops (grown interchangeably in short period of time) namely cereals, root and tubers, leguminous and banana, cash crops named permanent crops (coffee, tea and pyrethrum) and new crops introduced for cash/export reasons (fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices). Rwandan population is among the highest in Central and East Africa, as it grew from 2.996 million in 1961 to 11.4583 million in 2012 heading to 25.378 million in 2050 (Havugimana, 2009; NISR, 2012)
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