Bean

Volcanic region with altitudes between 1,600 and 2,500m. Regular distributed rainfall, varying between 1,300 and 1,800mm and fertile, volcanic soils. The mean temperature is 17 ̊C.

The central Plateau is characterized by hills and valleys. The eastern part distinguishes itself by the granitic parent rock material (Granitic Ridge). The Central Plateau is suitable for a wide range of crops adapted to the relatively low temperatures, however, soil conservation of the humus-bearing horizon is essential. Annual rainfall is between 800 to 1,200mm, with generally more rainfall in the West. Mean annual temperature 19-21 ̊C. Dry season lasts for two months, apart from the Southeast, where a dry season of three months is more common.

This zone is characterized by highlands with altitudes varying between 1,900 and 2,300m. The Congo-Nile Watershed Divide is a mountainous ridge in the West of Rwanda that divides rivers on the West to drain into the Congo watershed and on the East side to drain into the Nile watershed. Annual rainfall in the North ranges from 1,700 to 2,000mm and in the East from 1,200 to 1,600mm. The exceptions are the tops of the Nyungwe forest mountains in the South, where annual rainfall exceeds 2,000mm. The Buberuka highlands in the North of Rwanda consist of high altitude plateaus that reach elevations of 2,300m. Annual rainfall is approximately 1,200mm and the dry season lasts for one to two months (June-July). Mean temperatures are between 15-18 ̊C. The soils of the Buberuka highlands are considerably more fertile than those of the Congo-Nile Watershed Divide.

Altitude varies between 1,250 and 1,600m. Annual rainfall is higher in the Eastern Plateau and Bugesera, ranging between 900 and 1,000mm, while in the Eastern Savanna annual rainfall remains below 900mm and is more erratic of nature. The average temperature is 21 ̊C and the dry season lasts for three to four months. Soils in the Eastern Plateau are humus-rich on the hill tops, but heavily eroded on the steep slopes that characterize the Eastern Plateau. The most suitable soils for agriculture in the Eastern Savanna are found in the large valleys that intersect the sloping landscape of the East.

This region, together with the Imbo zone, comprises the area between lake Kivu on the West and the Mountainous Watershed Divide on the East. Altitudes vary from 1,300m to 1,900m and annual rainfall from 1,150 to 2,000mm, which generally increases with altitude. The region bordering lake Kivu experiences less rainfall (up to 1,300mm), where the centre is significantly drier compared to the North and South. Annual temperature varies between 18 and 21 ̊C. Lake Kivu has a smoothing effect on the soil temperature, which can exceed 22 ̊C. Overall, the clayey soils are moderately to highly fertile and suitable for cultivation of numerous traditional and industrial crops. Dry season varies between 1 to 3 months (June-August).