RULINDO District – In Mataba Village, Burega Sector, Nikuze Didacienne’s life was full of poverty and illness, forcing her to sell her land to pay for medical treatment. “Being sick was equivalent to selling land,” Nikuze said. “I had no other choice,” she added, reflecting on over 20 years of struggling with a difficult life.
The change began when she joined the PRISM (Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Livestock Markets) project. She was given two pigs along with training on livestock management and disease prevention. The pigs thrived and produced 15 piglets. Nikuze said she shared some with her neighbors through the Passing on the Gift program, while keeping the rest for her own benefit.
“Now I no longer think about selling land when problems arise. I now think about how to continue growing,” she said. “Income from livestock helped renovate my house, improve hygiene, and increase my family’s wellbeing,” she continued, adding that the main issue is not just wealth, but the ability to plan for the future and regain confidence.
Theoneste Rugerinyange, Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, explained that PRISM aligns with the district’s and the nation’s goals to promote sustainable income generation. “Our goal is to help citizens become economically resilient. Supporting small livestock is one of the most effective ways to reach vulnerable households, and PRISM has shown this clearly on the ground,” Rugerinyange said.
The district reports that thousands of farmers in Rulindo have benefited from pigs, goats, and poultry, either through direct support or by sharing with neighbors, allowing the impact to spread.
The PRISM project, implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), operates in 15 districts nationwide, targeting markets for pigs, poultry, goats, and sheep, and has a budget of USD 45 million.
