On May 17, 2024, the University of Technology and Arts of BYUMBA (UTAB) held a one-day validation workshop for the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative project (EOA-I). During this workshop, the EOA research team presented the research findings of two technologies.
The initial technology concerned growing pineapples by intercropping sweet potato cuttings and Desmodium incinetum as green mulch. It was discovered that sweet potatoes and desmodium both efficiently cover the land, reducing the need for herbicides and labor-intensive weeding. Being a legume, Desmodium incinatum fixes atmospheric nitrogen, enhancing soil fertility by increasing nitrogen availability. This can benefit the pineapple plants, which require a substantial amount of nitrogen for optimal growth. Intercropping with sweet potatoes not only serves as a green mulch for pineapple but also provides an additional crop yield, which can be a source of food or income for the farmers. Their extensive root systems help in preventing soil erosion and improving soil structure. By enhancing the overall ecosystem in which pineapples are grown, this method can contribute to more productive and resilient farming systems.
The second technology was about using natural pest control plants for pest management in strawberry farming. Research findings showed that intercropping African marigold plants with strawberries is a good natural way to protect strawberries from being attacked by pests without using chemical products that are harmful to health. It was revealed that African marigold not only protects strawberries by repelling and trapping pests but also by protecting soil against nematodes without using synthetic chemicals.
EOA Research team
In his opening remarks, UTAB Vice Chancellor, Fr. Dr. Munana Gilbert, OP, said that this EOA initiative does not have to be stopped during the workshop. It has to be mainstreamed into agricultural policies, education curricula, and market mechanisms. He added that there has to be advocacy for supportive regulatory frameworks to motivate farmers to transition towards more sustainable practices. This will not only help in safeguarding the integrity of ecosystems but also ensure food security, improve livelihoods, and foster social equity
UTAB Vice Chancellor, Fr. Dr. MUNANA Gilbert, OP
The ROAM CEO, Madam Lise Chantal Dusabe, thanked the UTAB lecturers and students for the great job that they have done. She also encouraged all lecturers and researchers to do more research in the area of organic agriculture. She further explained about ROAM, its history, its key areas of operations, and its mandate as a national umbrella organization that provides leadership and professional advisory services to all stakeholders in the organic agriculture sector in Rwanda.
ROAM CEO
The University of Technology and Arts of BYUMBA (UTAB) has prepared this workshop in partnership with the Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM). This workshop grouped stakeholders from various institutions working in the sector of agroecology and served as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and, most importantly, validation of the best technologies in ecological organic agriculture.
