RWANDA – Rwanda’s milk production in the 2023-2024 fiscal year reached one million tonnes, accounting for 85.7 per cent of the target set under the Fourth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation, according to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The shortfall was attributed to harsh and prolonged drought, which significantly reduced water availability for dairy cows, impacting overall milk yields.
Solange Uwituze, the Deputy Director General of Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), reported that the government is implementing various interventions to increase milk production and strengthen the dairy sector.
Among the key measures is the zero-grazing policy, which optimizes land use by dedicating 30 per cent of farmland to dairy farming while ensuring the remaining land is used for crop production to secure a sustainable feed supply.
Subsidized schemes are also being extended to dairy farmers, with dam sheets provided for water harvesting and storage to mitigate the effects of drought.
Uwituze noted that high-yield forage seeds and vaccines are being distributed to enhance herd productivity, while veterinary services are being expanded under the National Veterinary Sanitary Mandate to ensure livestock health.
According to Uwituze, Rwanda has also enhanced the capacity of the Songa Centre of Dairy and Genetic Excellence to boost the production of high-quality semen, improving herd genetics and milk yields.
Financing remains a critical component of the strategy, with significant investments being allocated to the sector.
The Rwanda Dairy Development Project, valued at US$100 million, and the Rwanda Milk Collection Enhancement Project, worth €21 million, aim to close infrastructure gaps, support farmers, and strengthen the resilience of the dairy industry.
Uwituze dismissed claims that Rwanda is importing milk to address the current shortfall, stating that the government is instead focused on scaling up domestic production to meet national demand.
The new target for the 2024-2025 fiscal year is set at 1.1 million tonnes as part of the Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation.
Beatrice Mujawamariya, a farmer in Nyagatare District, reported ongoing struggles with forage availability during droughts, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining milk production when water sources dry up.
She noted that despite efforts to conserve water, shortages resulted in lower yields, with her four cows producing only 25 litres of milk in August, down from 30 litres per cow in April.
Jean-Claude Habimana, a dairy farmer in Ngoma District, highlighted additional challenges beyond water scarcity, reporting that milk production on his farm fell from 50 litres a day to 30 litres during the dry season.
He emphasized the need for greater support in forage distribution and water storage solutions, explaining that without adequate feed and veterinary services, cows struggle to maintain optimal productivity.
Farmers and officials alike acknowledge the challenges facing Rwanda’s dairy sector but remain optimistic that ongoing interventions will strengthen the industry, ensuring sustainable milk production to meet future demand.
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