Over 13 Hectares of Pennisetum Planted to Control Soil Erosion in Rwanda | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

Since 2019, IGCP has supported park edge communities in Rubavu and Nyabihu districts -Rwanda to plant over 13 hectares of Pennisetum plants. Pennisetum plants serve as food for cattle and also help in controlling soil erosion. Lack of food for livestock and water run offs have been a very big challenge in these areas.

According to  Benjamin Mugabukomeye, IGCP Rwanda Country Coordinator, in the past some community members resorted to feeding their cattle from inside the parks causing conflict between the park and the community not to mention increasing human presence in the park and the risk of disease transmisiom between humans and mountain gorillas. “Getting grass for our livestock had always been a challenge and lack of sufficient food always caused low milk production but with Pennisetum now planted on our farms, life is better.  We have stable supply of milk, controlled soil erosion and improved farm harvest” says Emmanuel Harerimana, Kabatwa Resident.

This action is in line with IGCP’s Leading the Change Project that supports and empowers communities to manage their natural resources better, improve  their livelihoods and be instruments of their own development.