Comparative analysis of monocropping and mixed cropping systems on selected soil properties, soil organic carbon stocks, and simulated maize yields in drought-hotspot regions of Rwanda.

Rainfed agriculture which is the mainstay of the Rwandan economy has been severely affected by prolonged droughts and climate change impacts, resulting in severe food insecurity. In the Eastern Province, the adoption of monocropping (MnC) systems at dissent driven by the CIP may critically worsen the rain-fed agricultural gains against mixed cropping (MxC) systems in drought conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze and compare soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and simulated maize biomass and grain yields under MnC and MxC systems in Kayonza District, Rwanda. Soil samples (n = 96) were collected in 0-30 and 30-60 cm depths following the stratified simple random sampling technique. The SOC stocks were determined following the guidelines of the FAO of 2018. The biomass and grain yield for the past 20 years (2001-2021) was simulated using a calibrated and validated AquaCrop model (version 6.1) using daily climate data obtained from RMA, and maize crop, raw soil, and land management features collected at the field. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software (version 25). The results show that the SOC stocks of MxC soils were significantly (p < 0.001) higher (67.4 ± 1.8 tC ha-1) than that of the MnC soils (52.0 ± 3.8 tC ha-1). The depths avowed more highly significant (p < 0.001) SOC stocks in topsoils (0-30 cm depth) than that of the subsoils (30-60 cm depth) in the two cropping systems. This indicates that MxC sequesters more carbon and revamps soil C pools than the MnC system. The results also indicate that the simulated biomass and grain yields were highly significantly (p < 0.001) higher more and stable in MxC than in MnC fields for the entire past 20 years. Harnessing these findings, as C pools were monitored and analyzed in this study, N-bio-chemistry dynamics should also be conducted thereby comparing its environmental pools and impacts to both below and above-ground ecotones.

Using Outcome Mapping to Mobilize Critical Stakeholders for a Gender Responsive Rift Valley Fever and Newcastle Disease Vaccine Value Chain in Rwanda.

Approximately 752 million of the world's poor keep livestock to produce food, generate income, and build assets. Women represent two-thirds (~400 million people) of low-income livestock keepers. Infectious diseases are a major issue in preventing livestock keepers from optimizing production earnings and improving food security. In Rwanda, highly contagious yet preventable diseases that affect animals that women manage, such as Rift Valley fever in goats and Newcastle disease in chickens have a high-mortality rate and can devastate their herds. Women are disproportionately affected because they bear primary responsibility for goats and chickens. These diseases are preventable through vaccination, but smallholder women farmers rarely benefit from livestock vaccines. Social norms and entrenched cultural stereotypes limit women's confidence and decision-making and restrict their access to resources and information. Women smallholder farmers find that there is little support for the small livestock they manage, because of the official preference given to cattle. They are also challenged by limited availability of livestock vaccines due to lack of a cold chain, inadequate extension, and veterinary services, especially for goats and chickens, and unreliable structures for vaccine delivery. To identify opportunities for women's engagement in the livestock vaccine value chain (LVVC) and reduce their barriers to accessing and using livestock vaccines, we used Outcome Mapping, a stakeholder engagement tool, and the Gender Equality Continuum Tool to classify and engage critical partners in the LVVC. We analyzed each critical partner's capacities, incentives, and drivers for engagement with women, challenges and barriers that hinder their support for women farmers, opportunities at systemic and programmatic levels for women's participation and benefit in the LVVC, and the gender capacities and perceptions of different stakeholders. Enhanced positioning and visibility of women in the LVVC can occur through a systemic engagement of all stakeholders, and recognition of the roles that women play. Women smallholder farmer involvement when determining and shaping the potential entry-points is critical to ensure support for their existing responsibilities in family food security, and future opportunities for generating income. Strengthening gender capacities of LVVC stakeholders, addressing identified barriers, and building on existing opportunities can increase women's participation in the LVVC.