As the world marks World Milk Day every year on June 1st, Rwanda showcases how this beverage has gone beyond being just a source of nutrition it is becoming a cornerstone of educational development and child growth.
Through various government programs aimed at helping children grow up healthy, milk has become a key tool in combating malnutrition and improving the quality of education. This is evident in initiatives that provide milk in schools, particularly at the pre-primary and primary levels, with the goal of giving children the energy to learn effectively and think clearly.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda had about 170,000 cows. By 2022, the number had increased to 1,517,000 cows, 88% of which were dairy cows. In 2024, the number rose to 1.6 million, reflecting the significant strides Rwanda has made in boosting milk production.
In terms of milk consumption, data shows that in 2005, the average Rwandan consumed only 15 liters of milk per year. This figure rose to 37.3 liters in 2010, and to 72 liters in 2023. By 2024, the average annual consumption reached 79.9 liters per person. Despite this progress, the national goal is for every Rwandan to consume 200 liters of milk per year.
These figures remain below the recommendation by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which states that every person living in Sub-Saharan Africa should consume at least 125 liters of milk per year. This highlights a gap that must be addressed through awareness campaigns encouraging Rwandans especially children to learn about and appreciate milk.
To improve milk distribution and access, in 2024 Rwanda had 132 milk collection centers and cooling facilities capable of handling 483,000 liters of milk across the country. There are also 50 milk processing plants, including 7 large-scale and 43 small-scale factories, with a combined daily processing capacity of 254,000 liters.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and other institutions involved in nutrition and education emphasize that achieving the 200-liter target requires building a strong culture of milk consumption from an early age, both at home and in schools. This must go hand-in-hand with increasing both the quantity and quality of milk and ensuring sustainable market systems.
Milk is not only a source of health it is also a source of intelligence.
A child who drinks milk grows up strong, able to learn, and to think critically
