New project to boost Rwanda’s dairy industry

Rwandan dairy farmers get a sigh of relief following the launch of a new project dubbed “Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP)” that will cover 12 districts across the country. It is meant to increase the dairy sector's competitiveness and profitability through the provision of quality products from small-scale producers to domestic and regional consumers, thus improving their livelihoods, food security and nutrition while building overall resilience.

This six-year project officially launched on march 28, 2017, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), seeks to reach slightly over 100,00 resource-poor rural households; of whom 80,000 will be involved in dairy farming and 20,000 in national wealth ranking system (Ubudehe), and consistent with the targeting strategy laid off-farm activities along the dairy value chain.

According to Dr Theogene Rutagwenda, the Director General in charge of animal resources, RDDP will sustainably intensify dairy production and productivity among participating smallholder farmers.

“This shall be achieved through the promotion of improved climate-smart dairy farming practices and access to quality dairy inputs, extension services including veterinary and Artificial Insemination (AI) services; appropriate green technologies, as well as business and financial services, following a hub model approach,” explains Rutagwenda.

The project, he says, targets to increase incomes by at least 80% among participating smallholder farmers from dairy farming through a combined effect of the increased milk production and improved market access; adding that this shall be achieved through the development of 30 dairy hubs; establishment and strengthening of dairy farmer organizations; and facilitation of linkages to markets and dairy value chain actors, such as milk collectors, processors, transporters, traders, and investors in milk quality through public-private-producer partnerships (4Ps).

Speaking during the event, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana, thanked the development partners who contributed to the conception and funding of the project; and called on the dairy farmers to take the advantage of the project to enhance dairy farming in Rwanda by increasing milk productivity.

“Grab this opportunity to increase milk production, but also diversify milk products in a bid to develop our milk processing factories,” the minister told the dairy farmers.

The project will operate in 12 districts namely Gicumbi,Burera and Musanze in Northern province; Ruhango, Nyanza and Huye in southern province; Nyagatare, Kayonza and Rwamagana in Eastern province; and Nyabihu,Rubavu and Rutsiro in Western province.

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