Made possible by the American people through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Rwanda Dairy Competiveness Programme II (RDCP II) builds upon the success of the recently-completed USAID Dairy Competitiveness Project, also implemented by Land O Lakes, which ran from 2007 through 2011.
RDCP II will work to boost milk production and consumption of quality milk nationwide, and will collaborate with the dairy sector to prepare Rwandan dairy products for exports into the region.
The programme will build the technical capacity of actors across the dairy value chain – from smallholder farmers to processors – while fully engaging the Rwandan government and other groups to ensure local ownership and sustainability.
Frank O’Brien, RDCP II’s chief of party, said: “Part of our plan includes training and empowering lead farmers – about 40% of whom will be women – to train nearby farmers on best practices, with the goal of increasing household incomes.
“The programme will also provide business innovation grants to buy down the risk of introducing or bringing to scale new services and technologies with dairy-related farms and enterprises.”
A Rwandan Seal of Quality initiative will be developed as part of the programme. This will help boost supply and demand for dairy products and enhance nutrition for vulnerable groups including women, children and people living with HIV/AIDS.
The programme will employ a range of awareness-raising campaigns targeted at different audiences. “This will help instil consumer trust, stimulate consumer demand and promote quality,” O’Brien said.
Source: Land O’Lakes
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