Rwanda's $100 Million Dairy Project Set to Transform Industry
Source: The DairyNews
Rwanda is embarking on a groundbreaking six-year, $100.37 million project, the Rwanda Dairy Development Project - Phase 2 (RDDP), aimed at revolutionizing the country's dairy industry.
This transformative initiative, the largest of its kind in Rwanda, focuses on implementing climate-resilient farming practices, enhancing milk production, processing, and marketing, among other crucial interventions.
The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and livestock sector stakeholders highlight the project's significance in overcoming challenges currently limiting the viability and sustainability of the dairy value chain. These challenges include low milk productivity per cow due to restricted access to quality forage and water, limited capacity of producers and cooperatives, inadequate market information and infrastructure, and insufficient investment across the value chain.
The RDDP, spanning from 2024 to 2029 and covering 27 districts, aims to significantly boost the dairy sector's capacity. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) designed the project, targeting 175,000 households, with 145,000 engaged in dairy farming, mainly zero grazing, and 30,000 in agribusiness/SMEs along the dairy value chain. This translates to a total of 700,000 beneficiaries.
According to IFAD's project design report, Rwanda currently has an estimated 1.6 million cattle, including 1.07 million crossed and exotic breeds. The average productivity per cow stands at 3.5 liters per day, which the project aims to improve significantly by addressing key constraints.
Gahiga Gashumba, a dairy farmer in Nyagatare District, emphasized the timeliness and critical nature of the project for Rwanda's dairy sector. With a new milk powder factory in Nyagatare creating demand, Gashumba highlighted the need for investments to enhance milk yields through improved cow breeds, access to feed, and water – all addressed by the RDDP.
The project's comprehensive approach, spanning climate resilience, improved productivity, and a focus on the entire value chain, positions it as a key driver for sustainable growth in Rwanda's dairy industry.
The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and livestock sector stakeholders highlight the project's significance in overcoming challenges currently limiting the viability and sustainability of the dairy value chain. These challenges include low milk productivity per cow due to restricted access to quality forage and water, limited capacity of producers and cooperatives, inadequate market information and infrastructure, and insufficient investment across the value chain.
The RDDP, spanning from 2024 to 2029 and covering 27 districts, aims to significantly boost the dairy sector's capacity. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) designed the project, targeting 175,000 households, with 145,000 engaged in dairy farming, mainly zero grazing, and 30,000 in agribusiness/SMEs along the dairy value chain. This translates to a total of 700,000 beneficiaries.
According to IFAD's project design report, Rwanda currently has an estimated 1.6 million cattle, including 1.07 million crossed and exotic breeds. The average productivity per cow stands at 3.5 liters per day, which the project aims to improve significantly by addressing key constraints.
Gahiga Gashumba, a dairy farmer in Nyagatare District, emphasized the timeliness and critical nature of the project for Rwanda's dairy sector. With a new milk powder factory in Nyagatare creating demand, Gashumba highlighted the need for investments to enhance milk yields through improved cow breeds, access to feed, and water – all addressed by the RDDP.
The project's comprehensive approach, spanning climate resilience, improved productivity, and a focus on the entire value chain, positions it as a key driver for sustainable growth in Rwanda's dairy industry.
