Karongi: Local authorities reassure farmers struggling to access animal feed

Smallholder farmers in Karongi district who benefited from the PRISM Project  are raising concerns over the high cost and shortage of animal feed, saying it remains one of the biggest challenges threatening their progress

They said that despite making progress in fighting poverty through small livestock farming, feeding their domestic animals remain a a serious challenge.

“We buy feed from Muhanga at 800 Rwandan Francs per kilogram. With poor road conditions and no local suppliers, it’s very expensive,” Desire Bikorimana echoes his concern.

The expense not only affects productivity but also raises the cost of owning livestock placing further strain on poor households trying to escape poverty.

In Murambi Sector, poultry farmer Agnes Ntabanganyimana shares that locally sourcing feed is nearly impossible. “We have to get feed from distant places, which makes it costly. Better roads would help a lot.”

Thanks to the PRISM Programme, more than 2,000 small livestock animals including goats, chickens, and pigs have been distributed to low-income households across five sectors namely Gashari, Murundi, Murambi, Mutuntu, and Ruganda.

These areas, have long been burdened by low agricultural productivity and poverty. Today,  early signs of change can be seen as more farmers benefited from PRISM support.

Farmers report that the animals are contributing to improved nutrition through eggs, better soil health through manure, and a new source of income.

“Chickens are especially helpful,” says karambizi Marc. “They multiply quickly, provide eggs for food and sale, and give us manure that improves our farming productivity”

Authorities speak out 

District authorities acknowledge that feeds are expensive stressing that efforts are underway to find lasting solutions.

Julienne Ntakirutimana, Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, revealed that plans to set up a local animal feed factory that will serve the entire Western Province are underway. “We know feed is hard to access,” she says. “That’s why a project is underway to build a factory right here in Karongi,” she adds.

Julienne Ntakirutimana, Vice Mayor

While that project develops, the district is encouraging local traders to stock animal feed, and is working with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) to train farmers to produce their own.

In the short term, more financially stable farmers are urged to form cooperatives and buy feed in bulk, reducing transport costs and making prices more affordable for everyone.

Implemented by RAB and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the PRISM project continues to offer a promising path forward for rural communities in Karongi where, despite obstacles, the seeds of resilience are beginning to grow.