For Esther Mukamurigo in Rwanda's Ruhango District, her back has carried her hard work every day or until 2023, when she became part of PRISM or the “Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Livestock Markets.” PRISM’s goal of diversifying rural economies and improving nutrition provided Esther and her 30-member group called “Twuzuzanye Cyunyu” with 10 chickens each.
“I used to be like everyone else trying to work hard and earn a living,” Esther said while being interviewed by the media on a tour of the region this week. “There was no guarantee of a paycheck and no way to find out what my business was worth in the eyes of a client.”
Although the gift of 10 chickens (4 hens and 6 cocks)may appear small, this project not only provided livestock. It also provided technical training on modern livestock management techniques. Mukamuingo received training on both hydroponic fodder and azolla farming two innovative methods of growing livestock feed which can substantially reduce the cost of commercial feed for livestock.
Results were immediate. After collecting 500 eggs from her first flock, Mukamurigo decided to reinvest her profits in her business, rather than spend them. She expanded her flock from 10 to 100 chicks, resulting in revenue of over 250,000 RWF (about $195 USD) in her first full cycle. She then used these profits to make an initial purchase of six goats as part of her overall livestock diversification strategy.
Today, Mukamurigo has expanded her operation to include 600 chickens in her backyard. In conjunction with her husband, she is currently in the planning stages to construct a commercial poultry barn with a capacity of 2,500 birds an increase of 250 times over her original flock.
In addition to improving the balance sheets of participating households, PRISM's livestock distribution program has contributed to improved public health in Ruhango District. By combining savings groups with livestock distribution, families can now access small loans, and perhaps more importantly, regular sources of protein.
“We are so grateful to have been provided with assistance by The PRISM Project because of their help we are able to now eat an egg each day; as well as drink an entire litre of milk.” Her family will have an immediate impact as there will be an extension of the ‘Passing on the Gift’ process Mukamurigo is already beginning to help other families in her village by giving them the birds they need in order to raise their own chickens. Local government authorities have acknowledged that this type of igrassroots movement is essential to reach the district’s goal of eradicating stunted growth and malnutrition.
As Rwanda is modernising its agriculture sector, the success of the Gitwa Village provides a mini model on how to utilize small-scale livestock production to shift from subsistence workers toward agribusiness.
For Mukamurigo's dream is even greater; her dream now is to operate a chicken processing facility with over 25,000 birds. She has the opportunity to move from a local success story to become a national contributor.
