Residents from five sectors of Ngoma District; Zaza, Sake, Rukumberi, Gashanda, and Jarama, have received 150 cows as part of efforts to support their economic empowerment and improve their livelihoods through the ‘Girinka Munyarwanda’ program.
The Girinka program aims to prevent and eradicate malnutrition, help households lift themselves out of poverty, and increase agricultural productivity through the use of organic manure derived from livestock farming.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Ihimbazwa Aliane from Rukumberi Sector, expressed their happiness with the support. She said,
“I have a child, and the cow will enable me to get milk to help the child grow well. It will also support our household and allow us to share with our neighbors.”
Ntakirutimana Jean Marie also welcomed the support, saying,
“I am a farmer who used to live without owning a cow, but now I have been given one. I will take good care of it and have planted grass to feed it. It will never go hungry, and it will help me obtain manure that I will use in my farming.”
Addressing residents of Jarama Sector, where the cows were officially distributed, the Mayor of Ngoma District, Niyonagira Nathalie, noted that the sector has fewer cows compared to others and is also home to residents with limited economic means.
She said, “We believe that the economic boost coming to this sector should serve as a catalyst for development, hard work, increased milk production, and overall self-reliance.”
She added that during this year, the district plans to distribute more than 600 cows, noting that the 150 cows given out today represent a significant step toward achieving the district’s targets on time.
She further stated that Ngoma District has more than 8,600 vulnerable households currently being supported in their journey out of poverty.
Each cow was valued at 1,500,000 Rwandan francs and was provided with accompanying support, including basic equipment and insurance, to ensure proper care and sustainable benefits for the beneficiaries.
In the 2025–2026 fiscal year, Ngoma District plans to provide cows to 629 households through the ‘Girinka Munyarwanda program’, in line with its performance targets.
From 2006 to September 2025, Ngoma District has recorded a total of 12,737 cows distributed to vulnerable households through the ‘Girinka Munyarwanda’ program.
