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By Annonciata Byukusenge
In the green hills of Rulindo District, a quiet revolution is taking place. Local farmers who once relied on traditional methods of rearing livestock are now embracing modern farming and reaping the rewards. Thanks to support from Commercialization and De-Risking for Agricultural Transformation (CDA), many have seen their productivity and income soar.
From struggle to stability
Every morning, Goretty Kampundu, a 45-year-old mother from Shyorongi Sector, walks nearly an hour from her home to the farm where she tends her fields and livestock. For years, she worked hard raising five local cows, relying on the traditional methods she had learned from her parents.
“I used to keep local breeds that produced very little milk,” she recalls. “Taking care of them was hard work, and despite all the effort, I barely got enough to feed my family.”
Her daily struggle was a familiar one among smallholder farmers: low yields, unpredictable income, and constant worries about school fees and health insurance. But everything changed when she heard a radio announcement inviting farmers to submit project proposals to RAB through CDAT, an initiative designed to boost agricultural productivity.
“I quickly wrote a proposal and submitted it,” Kampundu says with a smile. “I was lucky my project was selected for funding.”
A new chapter in farming
Through CDAT, Kampundu received a 50% grant to help implement her RWF 54 million project. The funds went toward buying ten dairy cows, constructing a modern cowshed, and installing a rainwater harvesting tank to provide water during the dry season.
“CDAT contributed 50% of the project, which means RWF 27 million, and I added the same amount from my savings,” she said. “Today, I have 17 dairy cows. My milk production jumped from just 10 liters a day to 120 liters. It’s life-changing!”
With her increased income, Kampundu can now afford school fees, health insurance, and nutritious meals for her family. “My children drink milk whenever they want,” she says proudly. “And I finally have the financial freedom to plan for the future.”
Building prosperity-one farmer at a time
Kampundu is not alone in her success. In Rusiga Sector, Dancille Mukagashayija has also turned her fortunes around, thanks to CDAT support.
“When my project was approved, I felt like a dream had come true,” she said. “I knew I was taking the first step out of poverty.”
With RWF 16 million in support from CDAT and an equal contribution of her own, Mukagashayija launched a RWF 32 million pig farming project. She built modern pigsties and started with five breeding pigs. In just a short time, her farm has grown to 60 pigs.
But as her herd expanded, so did her challenges. “Finding buyers wasn’t easy,” she admits. “Some buyers offered very low prices, and others didn’t even show up when we had agreed on a sale.”
Turning challenges into opportunities
Instead of giving up, Mukagashayija decided to innovate. “I realized that if I wanted to sustain my business, I needed to take control of the market,” she says.
Her solution was bold; she invested in building her own pig abattoir. Located in Nyabugogo, Nyarugenge District, it now allows her to process and sell her products directly to consumers and vendors, cutting out middlemen.
“This slaughterhouse changed everything,” she says confidently. “Now I sell at fair prices, and nothing goes to waste. I’m even planning to open another one in Rulindo to serve the local community.”
“Tekana Urishingiwe, Muhinzi Mworozi” -Peace of mind for farmers
As they modernized their farming practices, both Kampundu and Mukagashayija also embraced another important shift, livestock insurance under the “Tekana Urishingiwe, Muhinzi Mworozi” program.
They now understand that insurance isn’t just a requirement but a form of protection that secures their livelihoods.
“Once I started professional pig farming, I realized that insuring my pigs was essential,” says Mukagashayija. “Sometimes pigs can fall sick or die suddenly due to disease outbreaks. Without insurance, that would be a total loss. But now, if anything happens, the insurance company compensates me, and I can keep going.”
Kampundu’s Experience with TEKANA Insurance
Earlier this year, one of Kampundu’s dairy cows fell seriously ill. She immediately informed a livestock veterinarian, who treated the animal daily, but despite their efforts, the cow eventually died.
“Because all my cows are insured,” she explains, “I reported the loss to my insurance provider, and they compensated me with one million Rwandan francs (1,000,000 Rwfrncs). It showed me that there’s absolutely no loss when your livestock is insured.”
For these farmers, Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi Mworozi is more than a slogan; it’s peace of mind. It ensures that even when nature takes its toll, their dreams and progress remain protected.
A ripple effect of empowerment
Stories like Kampundu’s and Mukagashayija’s highlight how targeted support and modern farming practices can transform lives. Through initiatives like CDAT and TEKANA, farmers are not only increasing production but also gaining the confidence and tools to build sustainable businesses.
For Kampundu, the transformation goes beyond numbers. “It’s not just about milk or money,” she says softly. “It’s about dignity, knowing that my work truly provides for my family.”
Commercialization and De-Risking for Agricultural Transformation (CDA) Project, which is funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) through its Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU).
