The Ministry of Environment, along with partners including an International Agricultural Development Organization One Acre Fund (OAF), known as Tubura in Rwanda, has launched a program to plant 65 million tree seedlings throughout the country.

In nurseries, native forest trees are being prepared, as well as mixed with agroforestry, fruit trees and ornamental plants.

The Ministry of Environment says currently 30% of Rwanda’s land is covered by forests as outlined in the national plan, but it wants every area in the country, including residents’ yards, to have trees.

“We are talking about 65 million trees, but there are already others in place. There is maintenance of 30% of the area covered by forests, which can be increased”, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Environment said.

She added, “Every household should have at least one tree so that when you look at the city, you see houses but also many trees. We want Rwanda to look green.”

Dr. Uwamariya noted that this year’s delayed long rains are partly due to the lack of trees to attract the rainfall, as highlighted by the Rwanda Meteorology Agency, which states that rainfall occurs in areas based on specific characteristics like forest presence.

She reminded that each household is required to plant five fruit trees, a program managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and this initiative aligns with the planting of 65 million tree seedlings during this rainy season.

The CEO of One Acre Fund-Tubura in Rwanda, Belinda Bwiza, expressed pride in having planted 100 million trees in Rwanda over the past seven years, but the Program will not stop as Rwanda continues to face the impacts of climate change.

Bwiza mentioned that they have a plan for 2024 to plant 25 million agroforestry and fruit trees, engaging the community to plant in their fields.

She stated, “We know that trees help bring rainfall, but we want farmers to see various benefits, including using tree branches to support bean plants and improving soil fertility.”

At an event held on Friday, October 25, 2024, celebrating the 100 million trees planted by Tubura and launching the program for 65 million tree seedlings plantation during this rainy season, community members noted that these initiatives are lifting them out of poverty.

However, there is a need for a solid program to protect and care for the planted trees to minimize damage, according to Nkeragutabara Dede Leonard, who is responsible for protecting the forest planted on the outskirts of Nyungwe.

Nkeragutabara stated, “Communities need to be taught how to care for these trees until they mature and avoid cutting them prematurely.”

He emphasized that without the establishment of the Ultimate Forest Company to care for the trees planted on the Nyungwe borders, the park would be severely threatened by poachers.

The Ministry of Environment plans to collaborate with Tubura to identify trees that offer benefits beyond preventing soil erosion, such as improving soil quality and providing various resources.

Forests are one of the initiatives that will help Rwanda reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 38% by 2030, in line with international agreements signed in Paris, France, in 2015, aimed at restoring the planet’s climate to pre-industrial levels.