Gatsibo District to Distribute More Than 1.5 Million Agroforestry Trees to Farmers
GATSIBO, Rwanda — The Gatsibo District administration is calling on agricultural extension workers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector to support communities across villages in accessing agroforestry trees and raising awareness about the importance of integrating trees into farming systems.
The district says planting trees alongside crops is critical to addressing the effects of climate change and promoting long-term environmental conservation.
As the 2027A agricultural season begins in October, Gatsibo District, in partnership with Tubura, plans to distribute 1,501,792 agroforestry trees to approximately 65,654 households.
At least 57,000 farmers are expected to plant edible fruit trees. In addition, each primary school in the district will receive 40 fruit trees as part of the initiative.
Farmers to access RAB C15 coffee seedlings
Through its partnership with Tubura, Gatsibo District will also facilitate farmers’ access to RAB C15 coffee seedlings. Farmers will pay RWF 75 per coffee tree, with 77,760 coffee trees expected to be distributed under the programme.
Overall, Gatsibo District expects to plant 3,398,461 trees during the 2026–2027 year.
The planned trees include:
- 587,397 eucalyptus trees
- 41,385 avocado trees
- 453,823 Calliandra trees
- 276,609 acacia trees
- 476,434 cedar trees
- 534,861 pine trees
- 504,663 Measopsis trees
- 523,289 Senna trees
Extension workers urged to mobilise farmers
Rudasingwa Michel, Head of the Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Department in Gatsibo District, said the district is working with agricultural extension workers and sector-level forestry officers to ensure that farmers can access the trees they need and understand the benefits of agroforestry.
“We are working with forestry officers at the sector level and agricultural extension workers to conduct awareness campaigns among communities across the villages. The campaigns are aimed at informing residents about the types of trees available in nurseries and their importance, so that farmers can come to the nurseries knowing the available tree species and understanding their role in addressing the effects of climate change,” he said.
The district’s approach seeks to ensure that farmers do not view tree planting simply as an environmental activity, but also understand the practical benefits trees can bring to their farms and livelihoods.
Farmers see benefits beyond soil protection
Residents who spoke to MUHAZIYACU said they have increasingly understood that agroforestry trees can provide benefits beyond occupying farmland, including providing fodder for livestock.
Mukagatete Odette, a resident of Bukomane Cell in Gitoki Sector, said agroforestry trees can help protect farmland from erosion while providing additional benefits to farmers.
“Agroforestry trees are very beneficial because they prevent soil erosion. Trees such as Calliandra also provide fodder for livestock. They also help reduce excessive dryness during the dry season and contribute to having cleaner air,” she said.
Gatsibo to plant more than 6.2 million trees under wider Eastern Province programme
The tree-planting campaign is part of a broader Eastern Province initiative aimed at combating land degradation, environmental degradation and the effects of climate change.
Under the programme, the Eastern Province plans to plant 40 million trees over the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 periods.
Gatsibo District is expected to contribute significantly to the wider effort, with 6,204,956 trees planned for planting over the two-year period.
The initiative places agroforestry at the centre of efforts to combine agricultural production with environmental conservation, while strengthening communities’ resilience to the impacts of climate change.
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