Rwandans laud agricultural programmes during this year’s Umushyikirano

Rwandan citizens attending this year’s National Dialogue Council commonly kwon as Umushyikirano have praised different agricultural programmes that have been implemented over the last few years for their significant contribution in improving lives of many Rwandan families.

The comments were made on the first day of the 14th Umushyikirano that is running from December 15-16, 2016, at Kigali Convention Centre. The annual 2-day event, opened by President Paul Kagame, gathered around 2000 citizens as the rest of the country and Rwandans in the Diaspora followed the meeting through various platforms.

During different sessions, speakers and participants pointed out that different agricultural initiatives including One Cow per Poor Family Programme commonly known as Girinka, land use consolidation programme, terracing, access to improved seeds & fertilisers among others have enabled many Rwandans to increase their yields; thus improving their lives.

Prof Anastase Shyaka, the CEO of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), noted that Girinka programme is transforming rural livelihoods and addressing poverty alleviation in Rwanda. Since the inception of the programme back in 2006, milk production has increased 4.7 times, he added. Milk production increased in Rwanda to 776,284 tons in 2015 from 56,000 tons in 1999.

Flora Uwera, one of the Girinka beneficiaries from Gicumbi District, said that the lives of her family and community have significantly improved thanks to the single cow she got through the programme.

‘I’ve been able to get milk for consumption and surplus for sales to generate income. I also get manure to fertilise my farmland and biogas for cooking & lighting my house thanks to Girinka programme,’ Uwera told participants to the Umushyikirano.

The elderly woman from Gicumbi District added that she’s been able to get 18 cows from the cow she received through Girinka programme; and she has so far re-gifted 9 cows to her vulnerable neighbours.

The average milk consumption per person in Rwanda has increased to nearly 60 liters per year currently from 20 litres per year before Girinka programme was initiated in 2006. One Cup of Milk per Child Programme currently reaches 86,325 children from 112 schools in 15 districts. Girinka also builds social bonds through re-gifting to a disadvantaged neighbour, added Bishop John Rucyahana, the President of the National Unity & Reconciliation Commission (NURC).

Karengera is another farmer from Nyaruguru District who lauded the government for providing farmers in his area with lime so that they can increase agricultural productivity. He said that they used to pay Frw 100 per kg of lime but they now pay Frw 32 per kg thanks to government subside scheme.

Gahutu, another farmer from Gicumbi District hailed the government for unlocking agricultural potential in his area through terracing. He said that he’s now able to harvest 2.5tons of beans per hectare while he used to get only 200kg/ha before terracing his farmland.

Other participants also lauded different agricultural programmes initiated by the government such as the construction valley dams in parts of eastern province to store water for livestock, supporting farmers with irrigation facilities and helping farmers in increasing quality of coffee, among others.

The farmers also requested to handle the scarcity of potato seeds – and the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana said that Potato Seeds Fund has been set up to increase supply of quality potato seeds across the country.

The dialogue is running under the theme, “Shaping Together the Rwanda We Want,” that places emphasis on the collaboration between leaders and citizens as pillars to continued development.

RWANDA SECURES OVER RWF 110 BILLION IN IFAD FUNDING TO BOOST AGRICULTURE

MINAGRI launches Veterinary Sanitary Mandate policy and related Digital Licensing system

Rwanda Launches the Youth FAST Forum

Rwanda Hosted the 21st CAADP Partnership Platform and 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security

Rwanda Marks World Food Day 2025 with a Call for Collective Action on Nutrition and Food Security

Rwanda hosted the 6th Eastern Africa Farmers Federation Congress

UBUTUMWA BUJYANYE N’IGIHEMBWE CY’IHINGA CY’UMUHINDO CYA 2026 A

MINISTER DR. MARK CYUBAHIRO BAGABE INAUGURATED THE KIBEHO TEA FACTORY

MINAGRI Rallies Stakeholders to Boost Seeds and Fertilizer Distribution for 2026A Agricultural Season