EASTERN PROVINCE: 

RWAMAGANA—Cattle keepers in Rwamagana district have formed a cooperative called Dukundamatungo to cater to a number of challenges facing them.

Speaking to The New Times president of the cooperative, Jean Bosco Kambanda said that the need set up a cooperative arose due to a number of challenges facing the cattle keepers in the district. 

"Milk has started flooding in Rwamagana district,” Kambanda said. "We need markets of the milk.

We lack cattle vaccines and cattle feeds including salt.”

Following the initiative, the PDBR project from the Ministry of Agriculture has promised to build a dairy plant in the district, a development residents say they await anxiously.   

"We need a milk plant in Rwamagana where we can sell our milk,” says Patrick Byabagamba. "My Friesian produces 25 litres a day and all the milk is left at home for children.”

Cooperative members Emmanuel Bwanakweri and Etienne Kaberuka argue that when many people combine efforts they get a higher bargaining power.

They expressed higher expectations for increased prices of milk once the cooperative starts.

Ends