Farmers’ Knowledge and Perception of Climbing Beans-Based Cropping Systems in Rwanda

Because of the variability of agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions in the country, there is a need to understand climbing beans-based cropping system. This study aimed at assessing farmers’ knowledge and perceptions on the productivity and profitability of existing systems based on climbing beans in Rwanda. Formal and informal surveys were conducted in five sites representing major agro-ecological zones producing climbing beans: Musasu in Central plateau, Nyamasheke in Impala, Musanze in volcanic land, Rwerere in Buberuka highland and Nyagatare in Eastern savanna. This study showed that existing cropping systems based on climbing beans are monocrops and intercrops with maize, cassava and banana. The monocrop is the dominant system reported by more than 55 % of the respondents in all target areas and is more productive than the intercropped systems. Farmers used Calliandra, Pennisetum, Leucaena, Eucalyptus and cassava plants as staking materials. Lack of stakes and of inputs including improved seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides as well as the incidence of pests/diseases were the major constraints in cropping systems with climbing beans. Agricultural policy should seek to improve the supply of all inputs to enable farmers to take full advantages of the improved systems.