Poor families from Kitabi and Nkomane sectors in Nyamagabe District yesterday received 191 dairy goats (crossed Saanen breed) to fight malnutrition.

The families that received the goats are those in the first and second categories of Ubudehe, said to be prone to malnutrition.

The dairy goats were distributed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with other UN agencies in Rwanda.

Speaking to beneficiaries, Alex Ruzigana, the FAO deputy country representative in charge of administration and finance, said the goats will help improve the living conditions of households.

"We hope these goats will help improve your living conditions, they produce highly nutritious milk and compost to help you fertilise your farms for increased productivity,” he said.

Apart from the goats, the beneficiaries were also given various agricultural implements to set up kitchen gardens including hoes, spade and basic kits for the basic veterinary drugs for the goats.

Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana, the executive secretary of Nyamagabe District said life in these formerly impoverished communities had steadily improved.

"In 2013, we were identified with the highest levels of malnutrition-related diseases like kwashiorkor, but I think if the study was to be conducted again, we would rate much better,” he said.

In 2012, Nyamagabe registered the highest number of malnurished children and mothers with its Kitabi Sector counting over 100 children suffering from malnutrition.

The survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2013 revealed that 44 per cent of children in Rwanda are affected by malnutrition.

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