THE UNITED States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, have launched a programme to improve the quality in the dairy sector.The programme is part of the Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Project II (RDCP II) and is intended to strengthen the dairy sector with Rwf40m ($63,000) worth of grants to 36 small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs). The grants will be distributed through RDCP II, which is being implemented by Land O’Lakes International Development. "The Seal of Quality programme is crucial as it, not only highlights the importance of milk quality and safety, but also strengthens Rwanda’s regional competitiveness in the dairy sector through greater compliance with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) standards,” explained USAID-Rwanda mission director Peter Malnak.Malnak said the programme would enhance quality, quantity and consistency of Rwandan dairy through training, inspecting, auditing and certifying of the dairy value chain actors, including farmers, transporters and milk-selling outlets in urban centres. "The equipment acquired under the project will assist the dairy value chain actors comply with the standards set by the programme. Additionally, through RDCP II, Land O’Lakes will continue to train SMEs on milk handling and hygiene to ensure quality milk from the farmer to the consumer,” Malnak explained.   Beatrice Uwumukiza, the Rwanda Agriculture Livestock Inspection Services (RALIS) director general, noted that "the programme would ensure that quality milk and other dairy products are produced.’’   The Rwanda Agriculture Livestock Inspection Services and Rwanda Agricultural Board are the key implementing partners of the programme. They will carry out inspection and audit and, ultimately, award quality certification to stakeholders who will attain the pre-defined quality parameters of the seal of quality programme.The main national dairy goal is to have a competitive dairy sector and providing quality products that are affordable and accessible locally and to other consumers in the region.