USAID Partners with Cooperative to Support Smallholder Dairy Farmers

{{The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Eastern Region Genetic Improvement Cooperative (ERAGIC) has announced a public-private partnership to increase the productivity of dairy herds and increase incomes for 2,000 smallholder farmers in Eastern Province.}}

From the American people through the Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Program II (RDCP II), which is implemented by Land O’Lakes International Development, USAID awards ERAGIC Frw44 million (US $69,000) to train dairy farmers in agricultural best practices and artificially inseminate 1,200 dairy cattle.

Speaking about the initiative’s launch in Nyagatare, RDCP II Chief of Party Frank O’Brien highlighted the benefits of the alliance for smallholder farmers in Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza and Rwamagana districts.

“This partnership will expand and strengthen ERAGIC’s business services, and create an ideal opportunity to improve the quantity and quality of milk coming from these four districts,” said Mr. O’Brien.

The award enables ERAGIC to train farmers, about 50% of whom will be women, in techniques that will maintain optimal health and nutrition of their dairy herds.

ERAGIC will also demonstrate best handling and hygiene skills to enhance the quality of milk, while educating farmers on how to improve their business and cooperative management skills.

The public-private partnership falls under RDCP II’s Competitive Service Sub-Grant mechanism that Land O’Lakes manages for USAID.

“The award will enable Rwanda’s dairy products to become even more competitive in regional markets, as they will meet quality standards set by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).”

By 2017, RDCP II aims to increase the value of locally made dairy products exported to neighboring countries by 60%.

“This initiative will empower farmers to improve the quality of their yields sustainably and increase their incomes for more financial security,” said Mr. O’Brien.

RDCP II, which is also implemented in partnership with African Breeders Services Total Cattle Management Limited (ABS), aims to reduce poverty in 35,000 rural households through the sale of quality milk and by creating 7,500 jobs in the dairy industry.

The USAID $15 million program, which began in 2012, also intends to improve food security and nutritional status of rural households. In the coming months, RDCP II will launch a consumer awareness campaign to increase domestic demand of Rwandan dairy products.