The president of Eastern and Southern African Dairy Association (ESADA), Tom Opio, has urged Rwandan dairy farmers to progress from subsistence production and adopt new technologies in dairy farming so as to increase productivity.

Speaking during a Dairy Forum that attracted participants from Southern and Eastern Africa, Opio said that all members of ESADA must work together and share ideas that improve the industry and the farmers’ welfare.

The chairman of Rwanda National Dairy Board (RNDB), Emmanuel Ndahiro, said that the board was collaborating with government agencies and several NGOs to review inspection procedures of dairy facilities such as dairy farms, collection centres and other facilities.

"We must promote the dairy industry by creating partnerships with international dairy partners, as well as incorporating new quality technology,” Ndahiro added. He said that RNDB was monitoring dairy production and exports to make sure that quality is upheld.

The Director General of Rwanda Animal Resource Development Authority, Dr. Theogene Rutagwenda, urged farmers to take advantage of the interaction with other successful farmers by learning from them.

"The dairy exhibition will showcase good technologies used in the dairy sector and the farmers who are using them. Rwanda dairy producers must create business links and possible markets with the exhibitors,” Rutagwenda advised.

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