This week’s visit by the Prime Minister to the Eastern Province, where he assured farmers that government would construct more milk collection centres, reflects the government’s sense of urgency towards solving the problems that affect its citizens.

The region is grappling with milk glut, which could as well soar on account of high milk production that is occasioned by government policy which promotes dairy farming.

While average milk production, in Nyagatare District alone is 130,000 litres daily, the only main milk factory near the area, Inyange Industries, receives only 10,000 litres.

In order to address the problem of milk glut, the farmers need to be connected to the milk processors so they can sell more milk at good price, thus increasing their incomes and bringing more economic activity to their communities.

Rwanda does not have sufficient milk centres to chill and process excess milk to meet the growing national demand for dairy products.
The lack of adequate market for the milk products is diminishing margins of the entire industry.

The government’s plan to provide safer transportation means for milk products, as well as availing veterinary services will spur dairy farming and improve milk production as well as maintaining consistent quality.

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