Fuelwood demand and supply in Rwanda and the role of agroforestry |
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Authors: | J D Ndayambaje G M J Mohren |
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Institution: | (1) Land and Forestry Research Centre, Forestry and Agroforestry Research Unit, Rwanda Agricultural Research Institute (ISAR), P.O. Box 138, Butare, Rwanda;(2) Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Centre for Ecosystem Studies, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands;; |
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Abstract: | Fuelwood in Rwanda is assumed to come from forests and woodlands, thus contributing to large-scale deforestation. Available
studies on fuelwood demand and supply support this assumption and indicate a continuously rising demand of fuelwood, notably
from forest plantations. These assertions are insufficiently substantiated as existing forest stock may not be depleted by
rapid increase in demand for food and energy resources resulting from population growth, but rather from the need for agricultural
land. Evidence suggests that the demands for fuelwood, in addition to other sources of energy, is supplied from agroforestry
systems which has not been quantified so far. This review analyses sources and use of fuelwood in Rwanda, indicating the importance
of on-farms trees and woodlots in fuelwood supply. It is concluded that the effect of fuelwood consumption on land use is
difficult to disentangle as many other factors including land clearing for agriculture, livestock farming, human settlements,
illegal cutting of valuable timber species, the demand for charcoal in towns and past conflicts, contributed significantly
to the high rate of deforestation in the country. If fuelwood demand is to be met on a sustainable basis, more fuelwood has
to be produced on agricultural lands and in forest plantations through species site matching and proper management. |
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