Legislators express concern as a million hectares face soil erosion

Members of the Committee on Land, Agriculture, Livestock, and Environment have voiced concerns regarding the vulnerability of a vast expanse of 1,080,000 hectares at high risk of soil erosion. The committee also resolved to summon the Prime Minister within a six-month period to provide details about the strategies implemented by an established task force aimed at mitigating this looming crisis. ALSO READ: 18,000 ha under risk of soil erosion around Sebeya River on course to be restored These concerns came to light through a comprehensive report unveiled by the committee on August 7. The report stemmed from an assessment conducted between November and December last year. Urgent action is imperative to bolster the budget dedicated to combating soil erosion. This challenge necessitates collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Local Government, the Forestry Authority, the Water Resources Management Authority, and others committed to battling soil erosion, MP Marie Alice Kayumba Uwera, the chairperson of the Committee said. Furthermore, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources will be summoned to provide insights into strategies to expand terracing efforts and optimize existing terraced areas. An astonishing 424 tonnes of soil per hectare are washed away annually, underscoring the gravity of the situation. ALSO READ: Experts weigh in on soil erosion-induced losses Kayumba emphasized that concerns exist over non-remunerated contractors involved in terrace construction, while some completed terraces remain underutilized. She added that the portion of land currently equipped with terraces remains insufficient, perpetuating the risk of soil erosion and associated damages to the environment. Community-led endeavors against soil erosion have encountered setbacks. Challenges emerge with terracing on sandy soil, and soil with heightened acidity necessitates expensive lime treatment. She further highlighted the plight of farmers who suffer losses due to their crops being destroyed during terracing activities. According to the Rwanda Water Resources Board, the annual economic loss attributed to soil erosion averages Rwf810 billion. Rwanda has set forth ambitious goals to expand terraced land, aiming to escalate the figure from one million and 34,000 hectares in 2018 to one million and 459,000 hectares by 2024. According to the board's comprehensive study, the complete cost of erosion control initiatives is estimated at Rwf514 billion. Of this amount, approximately Rwf323 billion is earmarked for safeguarding agricultural land against soil erosion (representing around 60 percent of the total at-risk areas). This safeguarding entails the implementation of bench terraces, progressive terraces in the form of contour bank terraces, agroforestry, and contour bank plantations. ALSO READ: How soil erosion is posing a threat on food security The accomplishment of these objectives necessitates sustained efforts from 2022 to 2030, with an annual investment of approximately Rwf42 billion to preserve agricultural land against excessive erosion, guided by a community-based approach. MP Frank Habineza advocated for prioritizing agroforestry as a robust measure against soil erosion. He asserted, These tree varieties not only enrich the soil but also serve as fodder for livestock and a source of firewood. This approach will encourage farmers to take ownership of the established terraces. MP Leonard Ndagijimana suggested tailoring anti-erosion methodologies to specific soil conditions in each area to ensure the efficacy of these strategies.

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Legislators express concern as a million hectares face soil erosion