Gakenke District, where 92% of the population depends on agriculture, benefited from the PRISM project, which helped farming households improve their livelihoods and reduce malnutrition. According to the Mayor of Gakenke, Mukandayisenga Vestine, the project contributed to reducing malnutrition from 33.3% to 26%, and poverty decreased by 12.2%.
Nkunzwenabake Jean Claude, a resident of Karambo Sector, Kanyanza Cell, Karambi Village, was given 10 chickens and materials to build a chicken coop to start poultry farming. Today, he owns over 380 chickens, as well as cows, pigs, and sheep, which provide him with a steady income and sufficient food for his family.
Nkunzwenabake explained that when he first heard about the project, he registered to receive two sheets of roofing and 100 nails from Senyenge to build the chicken coop.
He said, “I raised the chickens, and once they grew, I sold 5 roosters for 13,000 RWF each, totaling 65,000 RWF. I then sold 5 hens for 8,000 RWF each, totaling 40,000 RWF. Altogether, I earned 105,000 RWF.
After collecting this money, I decided how to reinvest it. I went to a cooperative group and borrowed 95,000 RWF, and adding my own 70,000 RWF, I bought 100 more chickens.
I was fortunate because the chickens started laying eggs. I continued saving with the group, and when I saw my neighbors cooking rice, I persevered because I had a goal.
My luck continued as the chickens multiplied, eventually reaching 380, allowing me to sell some to buy cows, which provide milk, and pigs. All of this I owe to the PRISM project, because the initial chickens I received enabled me to reach what I could not have afforded otherwise.”
Nkunzwenabake expressed gratitude to the PRISM project, saying it enabled him to buy a 700,000 RWF plot of land and overcome his fear of public speaking, which he previously avoided.
He added, “Even when I sit at home, I tell my children and wife that if it were not for PRISM, I would not have development. Neighbors also look up to me because everyone has chickens now, 3,000 of which came from my farm.”
He said that before he had to walk everywhere, but now he has bought a bicycle, and in the future, he plans to buy a motorcycle.
Nkunzwenabake also emphasized that although he achieved this, he did it together with his wife. He said, “PRISM came when we were poor, and my wife and I recognized our luck. We started saving together, which strengthened our relationship because no one undermined the other. Even when we were poor, we lived harmoniously.”
Dushimimana Monique, in charge of livestock in Gakenke District, said the PRISM project distributed livestock in five sectors, including chickens, pigs, goats, and sheep, as well as various tools for livestock management.
She said, “Each of the five sectors has a veterinarian, but in addition, PRISM provides training so that the recipients themselves can assist each other. If livestock have health problems, the staff inform us, and for issues beyond our capacity, we involve the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), which takes samples to test for diseases.”
Monique added that because of the training, livestock rarely get sick, and farming improves steadily.
She continued, “Livestock farming contributes to the development of the district, individual households, and the country in general. We teach the importance of insurance, and farmers understand it. For example, if a person owns 100 chickens and an unexpected disaster or epidemic occurs, insured farmers are compensated without losing everything, allowing them to continue farming without starting from zero.
Farmers gradually learn about insurance, protect their livestock, and recover from losses without falling behind.”
PRISM is a Government of Rwanda project established in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. The project started in the 2020/2021 period and operates in 15 districts, namely Ruhango, Huye, Gisagara, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, Nyabihu, Ngororero, Musanze, Burera, Gicumbi, Gakenke, and Rulindo.
PRISM’s impact is evident: 105 collective groups were established, some evolving into legally recognized cooperatives. Members saved over 37 million RWF, while more than 2,680 individuals accessed loans totaling 18 million RWF. The project supported 250 pig farmers, 500 poultry farmers with 5,000 chickens, 368 goat farmers with 736 goats, and 275 sheep farmers with 550 sheep. Beneficiaries also received materials to construct livestock shelters.
