Evaluating the Impact of Avocado Air Layering Techniques on Agroforestry Productivity Enhancement in Rwanda: A Case Study of Burera District

Abstract

Agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems, plays a vital role in promoting sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods in Rwanda’s hilly landscapes. Among the key agroforestry species, avocado ( Persea americana ) has emerged as a high-value crop due to its nutritional and economic significance. However, the expansion of avocado-based agroforestry systems has been hindered by traditional seed propagation methods, which result in delayed fruiting, reduced genetic variability, and inconsistent yields. This study assessed the agronomic performance, economic benefits, and adoption factors of air layering as an alternative propagation method in Burera District, Northern Rwanda. A mixed-methods approach was used, involving experimental comparison of growth and yield parameters and a survey of 50 farmers to analyze adoption determinants through logistic regression. The results showed that while traditionally propagated avocado trees exhibited greater height (2.8 m) and stem diameter (3.3 cm), air-layered trees had wider canopies (2.3 m) and produced significantly higher yields (44.2 kg/tree; p = 0.005), leading to higher average net profit (RWF 31,950/tree). Adoption analysis revealed that faster fruiting, higher profitability, lower seedling mortality, extension support, and education level were key drivers, whereas lack of training, technical difficulty, and limited material access were major barriers. The study concludes that air layering enhances avocado productivity and profitability within agroforestry systems but requires targeted capacity-building, improved input access, and extension support to increase adoption among smallholder farmers.