The Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), through the Volcano Community Resilience Project (VCRP), has donated 40 cows to residents of Cyanzarwe, Mudende, and Nyakiriba Sectors in Rubavu District. The initiative aims to enhance household wellbeing while strengthening community capacity to preserve protected land in the Volcanoes region. 

The VCRP aims to enhance climate resilience, mitigate flood risks, strengthen watershed management, and improve the livelihoods of communities within the districts of Burera, Nyabihu, Rubavu,Gakenke, Muhanga, Ngororero, Musanze and Rutsiro In Rubavu, 14 cows were distributed in Cyanzarwe Sector, 13 in Nyakiriba, and 13 in Mudende.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting the immediate impact it will have on their families and agricultural productivity. Speciose Mukasine, a resident of Nyakiriba Sector, said the cow she received will transform her farming practices. “I used to harvest almost nothing due to poor soil fertility. With terraces and the manure from this cow, I will be able to fertilize my land, plant grasses, and stop soil erosion. My harvests will f inally increase,” she said. 

Sylvie Murekatete, also shared her excitement after her cow gave birth to a female calf on the same day of distribution.  “This cow is going to change my family’s life. It will provide milk for my children and manure for my farm. I am very thankful and will support others to benefit from mine in the future,” she explained. 

Local leaders also highlighted how the initiative combines land preservation with improved livelihoods. Prosper Mulindwa, Mayor of Rubavu District, explained: “When a household has a cow, it encourages them to plant grasses on terraces to prevent soil erosion. The grasses feed the cow, and the manure returns to the farm as fertilizer. It’s a cycle that benefits both people and the land.” 

Pamela Ruzigana, the Division Manager for Catchment Restoration and Erosion Control at RWB, emphasized that cows are given where soil conservation measures, such as terraces, have already been developed. “In areas where terraces have been established to control soil erosion, households under the Girinka program are supported with a cow to improve wellbeing, nutrition, and farming productivity.” she said.

 These 40 cows, distributed in Rubavu District, add to the 21 previously provided in Nyabihu District, underscoring the project’s ongoing commitment to improving livelihoods while promoting soil conservation. In total, the project targets to provide 10,000 cows to beneficiary households