Abstract

Rwandan agriculture is not able to meet its population’s food needs from its own production, which results in food insecurity. Land degradation is a serious problem which contributes to a low and declining agricultural productivity and consequently to food insecurity. The objective of this paper is to develop a bio-economic model capable of analysing the impacts of soil erosion, family planning and land consolidation policies on food security in Rwanda. The results of the bio-economic model show that a higher availability of good farm land would increase the farm income. Additionally, preserving soils against erosion and reducing risk would allow for releasing more marginal land which would increase food production for home consumption and for the market. Increasing the opportunities for off-farm employment can also increase farm household income. The outcomes of the model support the Rwanda policy on family planning, while the policy on land consolidation is not endorsed.

Key words: Rwanda, land degradation, food security, bioeconomic model, family planning policy, land consolidation policy.