TUZAMURANE BYIMANA Cooperative, operating in Byimana Sector, Ruhango District, continues to make a significant contribution to fighting malnutrition and improving the livelihoods of residents through poultry farming. The cooperative, which comprises 20 members including women, men, and youth, started small with only 50 chickens but aims to expand its activities and improve the well-being of its members.
The cooperative’s leader, Ingabire Doxia, said they began with motivation and vision but lacked sufficient resources to realize their dreams. They wanted to create jobs and lift themselves out of poverty through poultry farming. Initially, they bought Uzima chickens and transported them by bicycle to increase their stock. Over time, the cooperative gradually grew until it received support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the Hand in Hand project. This support led to significant changes in the cooperative’s operations, including the construction of a modern chicken house, the provision of 500 chickens, and essential equipment for modern poultry farming.
Ingabire Doxia explained that after receiving this support, the cooperative focused on maximizing production, which increased output and enabled them to contribute to initiatives helping children suffering from malnutrition. He stated that every month they provide 160 eggs to the Byimana Health Center to help malnourished children. He added that when a child receives an egg yolk every day, it aids growth and strengthens the child, making the cooperative proud to make a visible contribution to improving residents’ well-being.
In addition to helping children suffering from malnutrition, the cooperative has become a source of employment for the youth in Byimana Sector. Tuyishimire Marie Claire, one of the youth members, said that being part of TUZAMURANE BYIMANA has noticeably transformed her life. She said, “Before, I had no job and lived in poor conditions. But since joining the cooperative, I can meet my daily needs. I work and earn money that allows me to pay rent, support my family, and save. I have learned a lot about modern poultry farming and aim to have my own farm in the future.”
Marie Claire added that seeing her life change through the cooperative is a source of pride for her and other young people. “Being in this cooperative has given me confidence that youth can also advance. We have seen that we can work, progress, and contribute to fighting malnutrition in our community.”
Ntahomvukiye Ezeyasi, another youth member involved in the poultry project, said that children’s nutrition has improved compared to before because they now provide eggs to children under five. He added, “Besides that, anyone in need can come and get eggs; no one is turned away.” He further stated that since Ruhango previously had high rates of child malnutrition, this initiative has helped alleviate the problem. “As residents, we are happy; there are no longer shortages, and things continue to improve because sometimes the eggs used to be insufficient.” Regarding the well-being of farmers, he noted that life has become easier for them, and they continue to expand their activities.
On its part, FAO says supporting cooperatives like this aims to help residents achieve food self-sufficiency and promote good nutrition. They note that when residents have the capacity to farm, accessing nutritious food becomes easier, positively impacting children’s health. FAO welcomes the results of initiatives like TUZAMURANE BYIMANA, which generate tangible outcomes and help reduce malnutrition in communities.
Cooperative members agree that FAO support has helped them grow and gain confidence in the future, as they now have modern poultry farming techniques and reliable market access. Their goal is to expand activities to eventually raise more than 5,000 chickens, increasing production and continuing to contribute to fighting malnutrition in Ruhango District and across the country.
These activities align with findings from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS 2019–2020), which showed that 33% of children under five experience stunted growth, 8% are underweight, and 6% are overweight. TUZAMURANE BYIMANA Cooperative is part of initiatives aimed at reducing these problems by increasing egg production and providing residents with nutritious food.
TUZAMURANE BYIMANA Cooperative is a strong example of how livestock projects supported by partners like FAO can help residents achieve food security, boost confidence in the future, and sustainably improve livelihoods.
