Seburanga, Jean L.Kaplin, Beth A.BizuruMwavu, Edward N.Gatesire, Theodette2022-12-042022-12-042014Seburanga, J. L., Kaplin, B. A., Bizuru, E., Mwavu, E. N., Gatesire, T., & Musanze, R. (2014, September). Control of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Rwanda: a survey of local residents’ perceptions. In 19th Australasian Conference, Science, Community and Food Security: the Weed Challenge (pp. 360-364).http://caws.org.nz/old-site/awc/2014/awc201413601.pdfhttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/5735Community support and participation is an important factor to achieving successful results in weed management. This study sought to gain an insight into local residents’ perceptions of control of water hyacinth using a face-to-face survey. The results showed that biological control was poorly understood by local residents and was perceived as ineffective by those who did have some understanding. Mechanical removal was clearly perceived to be the most efficient method among those used to control water hyacinth in both Mukungwa floodplain and Bulera Lake basin, though the effect was only short-lived. It is recommended that, in the absence of sustained foreign support, biological control of water hyacinth be reviewed in Rwanda and, perhaps, other least developed countries because in these areas there is lack of sufficient funds for a consistent application and the approach is currently poorly understood by the local population in Rwanda.enLegal banMechanical removalBiological controlAquatic weedOther