Members of Rwanda National Dairy Platform (RNDP) have committed to improve their work to spur progress of the dairy industry.

RNDP is a private sector-led organisation of dairy business professionals operating in various milk value chain segments (producers, processors, milk sellers, animal health workers, suppliers and service providers).

They made the commitment at the launch of a five-year dairy strategic plan in Kigali last week.

Florence Musiime Umurungi, the RNDP chairperson, said the strategic plan will help members achieve their goals easily and urged dairy operators who don’t belong to the platform to join so as to develop the sector.

She cited lack of equipment and transport among the challenges they face.

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba, who officiated at the event, pointed to the importance of the dairy industry to the economic development of the country and encouraged operators to work harder.

"The successful implementation of the strategic plan would ultimately lead to a vibrant and economically strong dairy business. This would benefit all operators in the value chain, thus contributing to GDP as well as improving the livelihood of dairy producers,” Kanimba said.

During the function, stakeholders in the dairy sector discussed their challenges and explored measures to overcome them.    

Milton Harerimana, who represented Gicumbi-based Blessed Dairies Ltd, said the platform had helped farmers increase milk products and milk consumption.

"Since we joined this platform, we have been able to work with farmers and the consumption of our products has notably increased,” he said.

"This platform helps us reach customers, it created a link between us and farmers and this facilitates the marketing of our products,” said Emmanuel Tuyambaze, the production officer at Premier Animal  Feed Industry.

The strategic plan outlines advocacy for farmers and training them on best animal husbandry practices, creating a network of the dairy value chain, ending malnutrition in households and improving production of quality milk and supply system.

The famers also committed to strengthening linkage between operators in dairy value chain and financial institutions, enhancing policies and regulatory frameworks, promotion and diversification of dairy products.

Tony Nsanganira, the minister of state for agriculture, told the dairy stakeholders to work hard to achieve their targets.

"You’ve the platform and government is always willing to offer support,” he said.

Agriculture contributes 32 per cent to the national economy while livestock input is less than 10 per cent.

Established a year ago, RNDP is mandated to advocate for and empower members toward developing the dairy sector.