In an effort to support poor households to graduate from poverty while strengthening the Girinka Programme, the Rwanda Dairy Development Project Phase II (RDDP2)—an IFAD-funded project implemented under the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) in partnership with Heifer International Rwanda—distributed 150 in-calf heifers on 30 December 2025 to beneficiaries in five sectors of Ngoma District: Jarama, Sake, Rukumberi, Zaza, and Gashanda. Each sector received 30 in-calf heifers.

In his remarks, Mr Muzuka Kayiranga Eugène, Technical Operations Programme Manager at RAB, commended the leadership of Ngoma District for the strong collaboration. He highlighted that, through RDDP2, RAB plans to implement additional interventions in the district, including the rehabilitation of Milk Collection Centres, the construction of a veterinary clinic, and other complementary activities.

He urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the in-calf heifers so that they can soon benefit from increased milk production and improved household incomes. The leadership of Ngoma District expressed appreciation to RAB for its contribution to improving the livelihoods of local communities and reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration.

The beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to RAB and pledged to properly manage the in-calf heifers to ensure productivity. In addition to the animals, they received salt blocks, spraying equipment, and other essential livestock support inputs.

The Rwanda Dairy Development Project Phase II (RDDP2) aims to reduce poverty among targeted rural households and mitigate the impacts of climate change on the dairy sector. The project is expected to benefit approximately 175,000 rural households—equivalent to about 700,000 people—with a focus on ensuring that 45 percent of beneficiaries are women and 25 percent are youth.