Assessing The Impact of Urban Growth On the Agricultural Activities of the Small-Scale Farmers in Gasabo District, Rwanda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2586Abstract
The study assessed the extent to which urban growth affects agricultural activities among small-scale farmers in Gasabo District. Using a descriptive survey design with quantitative, qualitative, and geospatial approaches, the study sampled 394 respondents through stratified random and purposive sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, key informant interviews, Landsat imagery (Landsat 5TM, 7ETM+, and 8 OLI), Google Earth imagery, and land-use records. Quantitative data were analyzed using Excel and SPSS, while spatial analysis was conducted using ArcGIS Pro. Findings showed that urban land increased from 3,449.07 hectares in 2000 to 4,914.09 hectares in 2024, while agricultural land declined from 28,848 hectares to 14,717 hectares. Correlation analysis revealed a very strong negative relationship between urban growth and agricultural land (r = -0.97). Regression analysis showed that urban growth explains approximately 94% of the variation in agricultural land reduction. The study concluded that rapid urban expansion has significantly reduced farming areas, disrupted traditional agricultural systems, and encouraged livelihood diversification among small-scale farmers.
Keywords: Agricultural activities, Gasabo District, GIS, Land use change, Rwanda and Urban growth. Top of Form
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