BAckground
Several species of bamboo grow naturally in Rwanda, lining riverbanks. It has been used traditionally as a building material, for fencing, as fuel and as animal fodder. Overharvesting has had enormous negative consequences, with riverbanks caving in, flooding and crops being washed away. The river Mwogo runs through the valley on Fred's land, and no bamboo remains.
The Ministry of the Environment has a national policy to re-establish bamboo, but implementation is slow and nothing has happened in the area around the farm.
The Ministry of the Environment has a national policy to re-establish bamboo, but implementation is slow and nothing has happened in the area around the farm.
Goals
- Reduce erosion and protect farmland.
- Create jobs.
- Create business opportunities.
Beneficiaries
Approx 20 families
HOW
Phase 1: make a plan and establish bamboo along the riverbanks on Fred's land.
Phase 2: make a business plan for production of products suited to the local market.
Phase 2: make a business plan for production of products suited to the local market.
Time Line
2021 No assistance received from FAO. "EcoPlanet Bamboo", a commercial company working in Rwanda, provided plants and expertise to support us to establish bamboo along the riverbanks on Fred's land. In March, 500 trees were planted. 10 local farmers were employed for to plant these. Follow-up with weeding and replanting throughout the year.
2020 Established contact with FAO (Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations) Rwanda.
2019 Looked into the possibilities of planting bamboo, and processing it.
2020 Established contact with FAO (Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations) Rwanda.
2019 Looked into the possibilities of planting bamboo, and processing it.