Joint research
Topic
- Livestock Farming and Management in Rwanda: Focusing on Meat Production
Partner Agency
- Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Rwanda Agriculture Board
1st Field Survey
- From June 29 to July 3, 2015, KREI Joint Research team visited Kigali and Bugesera to collect data on the current situation on meat producing and couduct interview to figure out stakeholder characteristics in the beef value chain. They visited slaughter houses and meat-processing facilities in Kigali and Begesera region.
2nd Field Survey
- From August 22 to 31, 2015, KREI Joint Research team visitied Kigali and Rulindo region to diagnose the problems and issues in meat-processing. They conducted interviews with extension workers and farmers. According to the results of the interview, the weaknesses of the meat producing are 1) low genetic potential of indegeneous genetic materials, 2) inadequate capacity to provide sufficient nutrition and protection from endemic and emerging diseases; and 3) inadequate market driven incentives
Result-sharing Workshop in Uganda
- On September 1, 2015, KREI and MINAGRI hold a KAPEX Workshop in Kigali, Rwanda. In the workshop, the MINAGRI presented the result of mid-term report of Joint Research and Action Plans. And the participants shared their experience on projects and ideas for possible ODA projects in livestock and meat industry.
Major Findings
- According to the research, animal population ststistics depict the Eastern Province of Rwanda as the region with the highest potential for beef value chain development in Rwanda. However, labor productivity is very low, especially the young workers, suggesting labor availability as a huge potential for beef cattle production. Also, lack of good quality meat products has been ranked high amongst main factors leading to non-competititiveness of Rwandan meat prodcuts. To address the issue of quality and standards throughout the meat value chain, Rwanda National Bureau of Standards should develop a certification system along the meat chain. In addition, much of meat products are sold through informatl markets; therefore, there is need to formalize the marketing channels for meat.
