Nyirabasanzwe Beatrice, a mother of three children and a resident of Cyanika Sector, Burera District, testifies that her life changed dramatically after she received a pig through the PRISM Project.
PRISM is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with support from the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), and is implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).
Nyirabasanzwe once lived a life filled with hardship. As a small-scale farmer, she took on part-time farm jobs just to get by. Each day, she says, felt like a battle to survive.
This 42-year-old woman says she used to survive by doing casual labor. She said, : “I used to rely on doing daily jobs and working for others[…] life was very hard, things were tough, but now everything has changed I’m living well.”
Funded by IFAD and implemented by RAB through Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture, PRISM gave Beatrice a single pig as a start-up asset. But for her, it was far more than livestock it was her first real asset, a turning point in her life.
That single pig, which she has cared for over the past year and a half, marked the beginning of her journey towards self-reliance.
“PRISM lifted me from daily survival to a life of purpose and planning. I’m now a proud livestock farmer not just in name, but in practice,” she proudly narrated.
In just one year and eight months, she transformed that pig into a sustainable business. Each litter produced 6 to 8 piglets, which she began selling to earn an income. She reinvested in better breeds and paid it forward by donating piglets to other farmers in need.
She continued, saying, “Today, I walk confidently around my small farm not just as a farmer, but as a businesswoman. My story is one of determination, opportunity, and transformation, made possible by the PRISM Project.”
Today, she farms her own land, uses organic manure from her pigs to improve crop yields, and lives with a renewed sense of purpose.
Farmers Finding Their Own Solutions
Beatrice’s story is not unique it reflects a broader transformation taking place across Burera.
In Gisizi Cell, Gahunga Sector, 30 local farmers joined together to form a cooperative called Twitezimbere. Their main challenge was the high cost and inaccessibility of animal feed. Many had to travel long distances to Musanze just to keep their animals fed.
After attending PRISM’s hands-on training, the group decided to set up a local feed business. They now purchase feed in bulk from Musanze and sell it within their community, making it more affordable and easier to access.
“The PRISM training opened our eyes. We realised we were spending too much time and money just to buy feed. Now we’ve brought the solution home, and it’s helping everyone,” says Muhawenimana Idrissa, a poultry and sheep farmer.
This shift has enabled farmers not only to support themselves, but to uplift one another. It’s a local solution to a local problem with lasting impact.
A District Transformed
Jean Baptiste Nshimiyimana, Vice Mayor of Burera District, describes PRISM as a “game-changer” and rightly so.
The Vice Mayor highlighted that the project has significantly improved infrastructure in Burera. Some key developments include a modern livestock market with better conditions for trade, a clean and well-equipped pig slaughterhouse, and an upgraded veterinary pharmacy that makes animal healthcare more accessible to local communities.
A Bigger Vision for Rwanda
Behind these achievements is a clear and ambitious goal “PRISM seeks to reduce poverty by enabling vulnerable rural men, women, and young people to take part in Rwanda’s livestock transformation. We support them in building resilience and connecting to markets both locally and across the region.” Joseph Nshokeyinka, PRISM Project Manager, explains
The programme targets over 26,000 households, including 23,400 vulnerable families in Ubudehe Categories 1 and 2; 1,530 young people, and 1,425 farmers involved in productive alliances.
A new chapter for Rural Rwanda
From Beatrice’s single pig to thriving cooperatives and district-wide progress, PRISM is doing more than supporting farmers. It is shifting mindsets, restoring dignity, and unlocking potential.
With tailored training, accessible resources, and a powerful model for community-driven development, PRISM is helping rural Rwanda move from survival to self-sufficiency from hope to prosperity.
