By Seif Shaggy Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali,Rwanda,
National and local livestock figures presented during Cow Day celebrations in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu District, demonstrate a significant expansion of Rwanda’s dairy sector, driven by strategic government programs and community herd growth.
At the national level, Jean Claude Ndorimana, Director General for Animal Resources Development at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, revealed that daily milk production has surged to nearly 2.9 million litres, up from approximately 330,000 litres in 2006. This growth aligns with a national cattle population that now exceeds 1.7 million cows, with more than 600,000 distributed through the Girinka program since its inception twenty years ago.
Rugerero Sector Executive Secretary Jeannette Uwajeneza reported that the sector currently holds 2,209 cows.
Of this total, residents own 1,746 cows independently, while 463 were received through the Girinka program. The sector’s cattle population expanded further during the event, where Rubavu District Mayor Prosper Murindwa announced the distribution of 34 additional cows to vulnerable households through the Girinka pass-on model.
The financial framework supporting this livestock infrastructure relies on cost-sharing and regional value chains. Farmer representative Aimable Kadogo highlighted the impact of the government-subsidized insurance scheme, under which farmers pay 60 percent of the premium and the state covers 40 percent to guard against unexpected losses.
Kadogo also noted the importance of the Mukamira milk processing factory, which anchors dairy commercialization across four districts: Rubavu, Nyabihu, Ngororero, and Rutsiro.
Despite the positive production data, stakeholders emphasized that maximizing future yields depends on addressing structural constraints. Kadogo called for government support to establish local animal feed factories to fix current shortages and requested advanced laboratory support to treat persistent mastitis. Ndorimana also identified mastitis as a primary cause of milk losses, urging farmers to improve milking hygiene, utilize artificial insemination, and access veterinary services ahead of the construction of a new veterinary clinic in Rubavu. These interventions are funded through the Rwanda Dairy Development Project Phase II, a partnership between the government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, implemented under the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board.
The Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has launched the second phase of the Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP-2). This six-year project has a budget of $100.21 million, and it aims to transform the dairy sector and the culture of environmental conservation.
RDDP-2 will operate in 27 districts of the country, where it plans to reach 175,000 rural households, comprising around 700,000 citizens. The project specifically focuses on supporting women at a rate of 45% and youth at 25%, while also considering youth-led households, people with disabilities, vulnerable children, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Among the main goals of this project is to increase nutrition and household income for farmers by 30%, through boosting production and helping smallholder farmers cope with climate change. It is expected that 60% of the households will use technologies that do not harm the environment, and 45% will become self-sufficient in diverse nutrition.
In this dairy value chain, 299 milk-receiving facilities and 94 collection centers will be constructed or rehabilitated, and they will be equipped with modern technology for monitoring production and payment systems. RDDP-2 will also help 85,000 people access loans and create self-employment, and it expects to create 28,800 new jobs.
The three investment components include increasing production ($41.49 million), improving the value chain and markets ($48.41 million), as well as management and the establishment of appropriate policies ($10.31 million). This approach will help farmers access animal feed, water, animal health services, and training related to sustainable livestock farming.
