From 2006 to 2025, Ngoma District has recorded 12,737 cows given to poor families through the Girinka Munyarwanda program, bringing great joy to the beneficiaries.
The Girinka program was launched in 2006 by His Excellency President Paul Kagame. It aims to fight and eradicate malnutrition, lift people out of poverty, and increase agricultural productivity through the use of organic manure.
In Ngoma District, the 12,737 cows given so far came partly from the District’s budget and largely through the “pass-on” system, where beneficiaries give a calf to another family.
For the fiscal year 2025–2026, Ngoma District plans to provide cows to 629 families under Girinka. So far, 116 families (18.4%) have already received cows. Each cow comes with basic supplies and insurance.
Mukashirimpaka Dative from Kazo Sector: “I thank President Kagame for giving me a cow. I cannot compare him to anyone. Now I get milk, share it with neighbors, earn some money for soap, and I will also pass on a cow to others.”
Kamali Jean De Dieu: “This cow is very important for my family. First, it gives me manure which helps me harvest better crops, even from my small land. Second, the milk has improved my children’s nutrition, reducing malnutrition.”
Ngoma District Mayor, Niyonagira Nathalie, said the district continues to strengthen the Girinka program, not only by giving out livestock but also by ensuring cows given to citizens are well taken care of.
She explained: “We have seen that a cow can permanently lift a family out of poverty. Once a cow enters a poor household, it provides manure for farming, which increases yields.”
She added that people should not think of the pass-on cows as few: “From the moment a cow enters a home, it gives manure. If cared for well, it reproduces, and the offspring can be sold while the cow continues to produce milk.”
“Milk production is also very important. We still haven’t satisfied the demand of the factory in our Province, and even at the district level, citizens don’t yet have enough milk.”
