**5.3 Lesson learnt from Rwanda experiences in land husbandry**

The same issue was also observed on terrace construction through collective actions such as VUP (Vision 2020 Umurenge Program) or other service providers from the District initiatives. In this case, low productivity is not only related to low productivity but also the establishment approach. Concerns are when the service providers might be driven by the completion rate of the contract signed by compromising technical guidelines like saving the top and nutrient soils during terrace construction, slope and soil types as well as not adopting a participatory integrated watershed management approach.

Another aspect hindering the success of terrace development relies on socialeconomic context. Farmers might be reluctant in adopting land husbandry technologies like terraces if they are not getting expected optimal yield in the first years because it requires at least four years for restoring soil fertility. The low understanding may result in low efficiency of terrace exploitation [29]. These factors relate on economical and institutional aspects along the implementation of bench terraces that are likely to constrain future use and maintenance of these structures [30]. Higher costs of investment and maintenance compared to the farmer's capacity hindered farmers to exploit these terraces.

Recent study identified problems affecting the poor performance of developed lands due to both technical and socio-economic aspects [31]. The findings proposed possible and best options to ensure that the lands are being optimally utilized for improving crop productivity. It includes improvement of soil fertility with supply of lime and organic amendments, agronomic practices and intensifying agroforestry systems for under-exploited or abandoned terraced lands. At least 2.5 t ha−1 of lime should be applied for soil acidity with pH less than 5.5 while 10 t ha−1 of organic manure of good quality has to be applied at every cropping season. Apart being well established, socio-economic challenges have to be well addressed by organizing or strengthening cooperatives of farmers and provide financial and technical supports that could help to alleviate identified financial barriers.

All these factors may result in unstable terraces that could accelerate the accumulated runoff volumes, from the destruction of risers and more eroded materials [24]. At some extent, these abandoned terraces can cause landsliding, mass

movements and gullies [32–34]. Thus, it is required to enforce the updated technical guidelines and standards for well-established terraces within an integrated and participatory landscape approach.
