Investigation of the pastoralists’perception and adoption of silvopastoral system in Gishwati -Mukura landscape

Abstract

People in Gishwati-Mukura are good pastoralists compared to the rest of the country. However, their pastoral areas need to be maintained. REMA through the LAFREC project planted of agroforestry trees species, indigenous species, fodder species on an area of 456.23 ha in four district which were Nyabihu,Rubavu,Rutsiro and Ngororero district. This study aims to investigate pastoralists’perceptions and adoption of silvopastoral systems in Gishwati-Mukura landscape. Field survey was conducted by using semi structured questionnaire,145 respondents were selected where 78 respondents of them were purposive selected as pastoralists and beneficiaries of LAFREC project and the remained 67 respondents were pastoralists but nonbeneficiaries of LAFREC project. The results showed that adoption of silvopastoral systems is still low even the trial made by LAFREC project in the area that is showed by none of the respondents adopted silvopastoral systems except beneficiaries of LAFREC project. The adopters those who were beneficiaries of LAFREC project had boundary planting and trees dispersed in pastures as silvopastoral practices.The dominant trees species presented in pastures were Alinus acuminata,Tithonoa diversifolia,Leucena leucocophala and Calliandra calothrus. The respondents perceived that Alinus acuminate resisted to fail due to its ability of fast growing, fast sprout, tolerant to invasive and easy management .The adoption of silvopastoral systems was perceived to be challenged by Insufficient fund at 100% by pastoralists,95.17 % of respondents perceived the damage to trees by grazing cattle, on availability of seedlings 62.76 % and limited extensions services 4.83% .Therefore pastoralists can be encouraged in adopting silvopastoral systems through increasing silvopastoral extension services, practical training, follow up to the implemented activities and establishing of the trees nurseries in the study area.