The role of the use of improved agricultural practices in ensuring food security in Rwanda

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

This chapter provides the ground framework of this research. The contribution of the use of improved agricultural practice in ensuring food security in Rwanda is evident. It is from this point of view that the present chapter tries to put forward the relevant literature relating to this study by different authors in books, reports and any published documents which were available to the researcher.

2.2 Definition of key concepts

2.2.1. Improved agricultural practices

Improved agricultural practices are the specific method which, when applied to agriculture create food for consumers or further processing that is safe and healthy

In this study, we emphasized it the most common used to help farmers to increase their food production such as fertilizers, improved seeds and pesticides

2.2.2 Fertilizer

Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Mined inorganic fertilizers have been used for many centuries, whereas chemically synthesized inorganic fertilizers were only widely developed during the industrial revolution.

Fertilizers are broadly divided into organic fertilizers (composed of organic plant or animal matter), or inorganic or commercial fertilizers. Plants can only absorb their required nutrients if they are present in easily dissolved chemical compounds. Both organic and inorganic fertilizers provide the same needed chemical compounds. Organic fertilizers provided other macro and micro plant nutrients and are released as the organic matter decays--this may take months or years. Organic fertilizers nearly always have much lower concentrations of plant nutrients and have the usual problems of economical collection, treatment, transportation and distribution.

It should be acknowledged that organic resources are not the substitutes for mineral fertilizers because they have low or rather inaccessible nutrient content and are usually not abundantly available. They however condition the soil and improve mineral fertilizer use efficiency. The CIP should enhance the capacities of farmers and local entrepreneurs to anticipate and adopt integrated soil fertility management practices. It is important to note that women play an important role in such initiatives as they are more receptive to environmentally sound practices.

Through largeness orders, CIP imported fertilizers and distributed to farmers through various service providers. About 83% of fertilizers were used by farmers growing maize, wheat, rice and potato. In 2009, CIP imported 14,427 tons and distributed to maize and wheat growers at subsidized rates (50%) the overhead costs (transportation and administrative costs) from Mumbasa to rural areas were covered by the government. CIP continued to import and distribute in 2010 (33,500 t) and 2011 (22,000 t). Through an auction process, the CIP auctions the imported fertilizers to private distributors. To access these fertilizers at subsidized prices, CIP distributes vouchers to farmers through service providers. The farmers buy fertilizers from the distributor/dealer by presenting the vouchers. The distributor transacts the vouchers at the financial bank outlets which in turn collect from MINAGRI/MINICOM. Estimates suggest that as a result of these efforts, the national average fertilizer use per year has increased from 8 Kg/Ha to 23 Kg/Ha in 2010^8(*)

* ⁸ Evaluation Report on Crop Intensification Program and International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development reports, Kigali, 2010