How Gir’inka is transforming lives in Burera

It is early morning in Burera District and Esperance Nyiramajyambere is about to embark on a daily task that has evolved into a norm, one of trudging into the fields with her sickle in search of grass for her cow. She never tires because the returns from this noble duty are immense. But Nyiramajyambere is not alone in this expedition; several men and women and at times children embark on similar errands on a daily basis, and no one is complaining. This is clearly evident from the vibrant lives of residents in Kiraro village of Burera District, where Nyirahabiyambere resides. She is among the thousands of Rwandans who have benefitted from the government initiated cattle-stocking programme commonly known as gir’inka. “Before this programme, nobody in our village ever dreamt of owning a cow, but today it is our source of livelihood,’’ Nyiramajyambere says. Rural beneficiaries have commended government’s effort in raising their living standards. Most people agree that the programme has transformed their lives, for example Nyiramajyambere notes that she can now pay fees for her son who is in secondary school. “We sell milk and send our children to school.’’ Since its initiation more than ten years ago, the programme has seen several households own their own cows. Jean Paul Bizyaremye, a veterinary officer in Burera, attributes the programmes’ success to the enthusiasm residents accord it. “Most residents aspire to get the best out of this programme. They are aware that the government has given them cows as a strategy to reduce poverty,’ says Biziyaremye. He expressed confidence that the programmes’ target of seeing each family own a cow by the year 2020 in line with the country’s vision shall be undoubtedly achieved, at least in his area of operation. On its success, the vet says the strategy of giving another deserving family a calf when a cow gives birth has proved fundamental in the programme’s success. “Issuing heifers to other deserving poor families, locally known as kwitura, has helped promote communal ownership of all the cows under this programme,” he says, adding that this has also cultivated solidarity among the communities. Some of the benefits that residents have so far realised from the programme include availability of milk for sale and consumption which helped improve the standard of living of residents. Farmers are also able to get organic manure from the cowdung, hence boosting their yields. Some farmers in Burera who have increased their cattle stock have constructed biogas digesters, which is used to tap energy for cooking while its by-products are used as manure.

National

How Gir’inka is transforming lives in Burera