FAO and MINAGRI join citizens in Nyamagabe to celebrate World food day
On Friday, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), celebrated World Food Day together with various partners and residents of Nyamagabe District.
This year’s theme is “Working together for safe food and a better future.”
During the event, seven cows out of the 900 planned for distribution (including some already pregnant), 18 goats out of 40, and 200 chickens out of 680 were given to vulnerable families. Each family received 20 chickens.
Charles Bazikuyavuga, a farmer from the Southern Province, Nyamagabe District, Tare Sector, Buhoro Cell, Rwufe Village, said that before receiving a cow, he lived a difficult life struggling to access both food and manure.
He said: “Before I was given this cow, it was very hard for me to get manure. But now that I have a cow, I believe that problem is solved. I will be able to fertilize my land, increase my harvest, and improve my family’s living conditions.”
Charles added that the cow he received would bring significant changes to his family’s livelihood: “This cow will transform my family’s life since it is already pregnant. Soon it will give birth, and we will have milk for the children. Our health will improve, and our household will develop.”
He continued: “I used to farm without manure, harvesting about 10 kilograms of beans. But now, with manure, I expect to harvest 50 to 100 kilograms.”
When asked how he was selected to receive the cow, he explained: “They considered my situation and saw that I could not afford to buy a cow. They believed that giving me one would make a difference in my life and my family’s, and that I would be capable of taking good care of it.”
About his ability to raise livestock, he said: “Even though I don’t have many resources, I will take care of it properly. I will find grass for feeding, clean its shed, and make sure it stays healthy.”
Janette Mbanenabo, who received two goats, said she was ready to look after them well and improve her living standards: “I will do my best to raise them properly and develop myself so that I can also help others in the future.”
When asked if she was aware of World Food Day, she said: “We in rural areas usually hear about it on the radio. We were used to eating vegetables like amaranth and other local greens. But today we’ve understood that this day is meant to promote proper nutrition. Since I’ve received goats, I plan to grow vegetables and fruits so that my family can have a balanced diet.”
She added: “I will build a shelter for my goats to collect manure. I didn’t used to farm well, but now that I’ll have manure, my yields will increase.”
Francine Nyiramugisha, a resident of Gasovu Village, Musenyi Cell, Kaduha Sector, who received 20 chickens, said the support was a blessing: “Receiving these chickens is a blessing. I will take good care of them, and once they start laying eggs, my children will have eggs to eat every day for better health, and we will also have meat when needed.”
She went on to say: “I used to eat food without enough nutrients. Now, with eggs, our diet will improve, and we will live healthier lives.”
Dr. Mark Bagabe Cyubahiro, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, expressed his pleasure in joining the people of Nyamagabe to celebrate this special day alongside other officials.
He said: “Today is an important occasion to reflect on everyone’s role in ensuring national food security. It is through collective effort that we can achieve self-sufficiency and eliminate malnutrition.”
Dr. Mark reminded attendees of the year’s theme: “Let’s join hands to promote healthy diets and a better future.”
He explained that they chose to celebrate the day in Nyamagabe District to emphasize the fight against poverty and malnutrition, since a report from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) shows that this district has higher poverty levels than many other parts of the country.
He added: “Such initiatives will continue throughout this month dedicated to promoting proper nutrition, from October 16 to November 15.”
The Minister encouraged Nyamagabe residents to continue efforts to boost productivity and combat malnutrition by planting fruit trees, promoting livestock farming, encouraging proper nutrition, and strengthening agricultural activities during the current planting season.
The event was attended by partners including MINAGRI, UN Rome-Based Agencies operating in Rwanda (FAO, IFAD, WFP), One Acre Fund, Heifer International (which donated small livestock), Vanguard Economics, Rockefeller Foundation, IITA, CIP, and Bioversity International.
By Alex RUKUNDO
