RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

Assessing the Effect of vermiCompost on soil preservation and

Sustainable vegetable production, Case study: Intercropping of
Carrots (Daucus carota L.) and leeks (Allium porrum) through
Kitchen gardening.

REPARED BY: TUYIZERE Theophile

APRIL, 2021
WORKING TITLE: Assessing the Effect of vermiCompost on soil preservation and
Sustainable vegetable production, Case study: Intercropping of Carrots (Daucus carota L.)
and leeks (Allium porrum) through Kitchen gardening.

I. INDICATION OF THE PROBLEM

The Government of Rwanda views agriculture as the most significant drive of the economic
growth (7.6%, 2000-2015) and poverty reduction; (Rwanda National Agriculture policy,
June 2017, p13). About 96 per cent of rural households rely directly or indirectly on
agriculture for their livelihoods. Despite Rwanda’s impressive economic growth, household
food insecurity and malnutrition remain a challenge. In part due to low agricultural
productivity, over a third of the Rwandan population experiences food insecurity. (USAID,
Rwanda nutrition profile, 2018, p.1).

Small plot size and limited land availability act as constraints on productivity and
profitability for most farmers. (MINAGRI, strategic plan for agriculture Transformation
2018-24, p. 22). Land resource has been considered the most important factor of production,
backbone of the economy and the basis of survival for the entire population generating about
90% of food required in the country.

Challenges to Rwanda’s soils include soil degradation, nutrient losses through erosion, soil
acidity, low organic matter, and the emerging problems of salinity that is constraining crop
productivity in marshlands. (MINAGRI, strategic plan for agriculture Transformation
2018-24, p. 39). Though chemical fertilizers are the major cause of sufficient crop production
for the world population, their overuse is bringing serious challenges to the present and future
generations like polluted air, water, and soil, the degraded lands, depleted soils and increased
emissions of greenhouse gases.

Government of Rwanda has put in place a national agriculture policy with vision of a nation
that enjoys food security, nutritional health, and sustainable agricultural growth from a
productive, green, and market-led agricultural sector.(National Agriculture policy, 2018,
p.13). Sustainability in agriculture has much in common with the use organic manure. In this
context, the purpose of this project is to make an assessment the Effect of vermiCompost on
soil preservation and Sustainable vegetable production.

II. JUSTIFICATION AND RELEVANCE OF THE PROBLEM

According to Rwanda national agriculture policy, the agricultural sector has been growing by
over 5% per year since the turn of the century. However, since a growth spurt between 2008-
2012, growth has decelerated in recent years but the growth in agricultural production; food
security and nutrition remain concerns, especially when looking at the vulnerability to shocks
at the household level. Therefore, this project is in line with the strategic plan for agriculture
Transformation 2018-2024 in Rwanda where emphasis is also placed on Research on bio-
fertilisers technologies. With this background, the present study is aimed at finding the
impact the Effect of vermin-Compost on soil preservation and Sustainable vegetable
production and is to be conducted at the household level for the purposes of household-
centred learning.
 III. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 To assess the Effect of vermin-Compost on soil preservation and Sustainable
vegetable production focusing on crop growth, yield and quality components,
physical, chemical and biological soil properties,
 Production of organic vegetables based on Better utilization of crop growth resources
and continuous plant cover,
 Adopt and spread an effective waste management strategy and farming practices that
are more ecologically friendly for farm households,
 To equip the farming households with the ability to be self reliant and food secured in
an ecologically sound way and technology spread through household-centred
learning.

IV. RESEACH QUESTIONS

1. Main Question
 How do the recommended doses of inorganic and organic fertilizers affect the growth,
yield and quality of Carrots and leeks as well as soil properties in two succeeding
crops?

2. Specific questions
 How do the type of fertiliser (Organic or inorganic) influence the physical, chemical
and biological soil property after harvest?
 How do the type of fertiliser (Organic or inorganic) influence the concentration of
nitrate and heavy metals of carrot and leek leaves after harvest?

V. Methodology

Treatments consisting of various rates of inorganic and organic fertilizers (vermi-compost)

will be evaluated. The practicability of this work will be assessed by comparing the growth,
yield and quality components as well as soil properties of crops receiving recommended dose
of organic fertiliser (vermi-compost) with those receiving dosage of inorganic fertilization.
Effect of vermin-compost and inorganic fertiliser will be studied in two successive crops of
Carrot (Daucus carota L.) intercropped with Leeks (Allium porrum). The positive findings of
the project will be used as tool to equip the farming households with the ability to be self
reliant and food secured in an ecologically sound way and the technology will be spread
through household-centred learning.

VI. REFERENCES

-Rwanda National Agriculture policy, June 2017, p13

- USAID, Rwanda nutrition profile, 2018, p.1
- MINAGRI, strategic plan for agriculture Transformation 2018-24, p. 22, p39.