Improving the implementation of land use policies as a strategy to poverty reduction: Kayonza District as a case study.

Abstract

The research report is about a study that aimed at establishing the way forward so as to improve the implementation of the policies of land use as a strategy to poverty reduction; Kayonza District was a case study. The study was guided by three objectives that focused on the citizens’ level of understanding about the land use, the challenges in the process of land use, and the proposed way forward to use land in order to fight against poverty. Respondents were chosen from seven sectors of Kayonza District. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, an interview guide and a four group discussion (FGD) guide. A review of relevant written documents was also done to supplement the primary data. The study findings look at the general findings of the research paper by answering research questions in line with the objectives and the hypothesis of the study topic. it assessed the land use initiatives available in Kayonza district; in order to investigate the extent to which citizens understand the importance of well- used land in relation to their income and expenses, the challenges in the process of land policies implementation and how to formulate the policy proposing land use in fighting against poverty. CHF in the partnership with Rwandan government and USAID/ Higa Ubeho has carried out various initiatives in the district. The findings shown that even if the government of Rwanda implemented the policy on land exploitation by the system of “akarima k’ igikoni” in order to overcome the problem of small land .The policy, may establish mechanism to ensure effective participation of the citizens in the kitchen garden program. Those households who ignore the implementation of the kitchen garden will face consequences discussed with the local administration authority. There are still unexploited land especially in urban and semi- urban areas which increase a high food demand and decrease income of those who do not have any land, who always buy their food.