Livestock experts in Rwanda are determined to craft a result-based Animal Resources breeding and conservation Strategy
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), has organized a consultative workshop with livestock experts, stakeholders, and actors on the development of animal Genetic Resources strategy. the two-day workshop, (27th – 28th July 2022) was held within the framework of FAO’s technical assistance for the Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP) which is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
“On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, I would like to greatly thank FAO for the continued support to the development of the livestock sector in our country. The animal genetic resources strategy will help us mitigate shocks and challenges the livestock sector faces and be able to equip farmers with resilience capacities to achieve food security” said Dr. Solange Uwituze, Deputy Director General,Animal, Resources Development at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal, Resources Development Board - RAB
Animal genetic resources strategy
Animal Genetic resources are constantly required as inputs into the continuing process of enhancement through selective breeding (including genetic engineering). Therefore, conservation of animal genetic resources is needed, given their critical role in livestock production. The latter faces many challenges, however, and has a substantial environmental impact. The challenges in low-income countries are compounded by competition and limited access to productive inputs and markets, meaning small-scale livestock keepers are not benefiting from fast sectoral growth.
Meeting these challenges will require a comprehensive improvement and conservation strategy, planning, investment, strong synergies, and unwavering cooperation to build human and institutional capacity and forge strategic collaborative partnerships.
The value of the livestock sector in Rwanda
Rwanda has targeted annual 10 percent agricultural growth from the current 5 percent to become a middle-income country by 2035. Such growth hinges on agricultural and animal resources intensification based on appropriate policy and regulatory framework for the efficient use of inputs, technology, and innovation. The socio-economic role of livestock is strong in Rwandan society, which associates livestock with cultural heritage and customs. Livestock is central to everyday life in many communities and employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly for rural youth and women. According to the report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources 2019, Rwanda has about 1,371, 828 cattle heads, 2,387,898 goats, 541,416 sheep, 1,385,769 pigs, 5,306,524 chickens, and 688,788 rabbits (MINAGRI, 2019) to potentially to contribute to agriculture-led growth and the socio-economic transformation of the population.
“The animal Genetic Resources strategy is a crucial blueprint for guiding breeders to promote smart farming so the livestock sector creates decent jobs and market-oriented farming. FAO will continue to provide its technical support and tap on the expertise of its experts and support the government design strategies, for ensuring sustainable food security for all leaving no One Behind” said Dr Otto Vianney Muhinda Assistant FAO Representative in charge of programs.
The animal genetic resources strategy is an important engine to making farming a decent job and not a subsistence but rather a market-oriented occupation. Livestock experts say this will happen if, depending on where they live, farmers are supported to get a breed that withstands all environmental or climate-related shocks. The process to craft this strategy is broad-based, follows the Global Plan of Action on Animal Genetic Resources, and aims at capturing inputs from relevant actors on the livestock value chain to make the strategy fit for purpose and practice.