Assessing the agroforestry potential of selected native tree species in Rwanda

The deliberate integration of trees into crop and livestock farming systems has garnered significant attention for its ability to deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits. In Rwanda, this agroforestry approach is increasingly embraced because of its capacity to conserve the soil, produce food, feed, and wood products, and provide other essential ecosystem services. However, the limited integration and undervaluation of indigenous tree species in Rwandan farming practices reveal a critical gap in the sustainability of this practice. This study evaluated the agroforestry potential of nine native tree species by examining their compatibility with beans and maize, and their growth outside forest environments. Among the species tested, Pterygota mildbraedii exhibited the highest mean annual height growth (0.27 m yr−1), while Erythrina abyssinica recorded the largest diameter increment (0.30 cm yr−1). Tree presence significantly reduced crop yield (p < 0.05), with compatibility varying among species in the following order: Ficus thonningii, Markhamia platycalyx, Podocarpus falcatus, Maesopsis eminii, and Polyscias fulva. While further studies are needed, these compatibility levels indicate that integrating one or more of the tested species into farming systems may be feasible if the benefits from tree products and ecosystem services outweigh any crop competition.