Nyabihu farmers strike gold with sheep husbandry

By Elias Hakizimana.

In the verdant hills of Nyabihu, a silent revolution is underway as Sheep farmers celebrate huge income earned through raising sheep.

According to the citizens’ testimonies, these woolly creatures have become synonymous with prosperity and opportunity and are perceived as a “gold mine” due to their profitability and ease of raising.

Nyiranzayino, one of the farmers, attests to the economic benefits, stating, “Sheep raising in this area is important to us, it is a source of wealth, and we consider it as a gold mine because if you own a sheep you have money.”

The president of the Mukamira livestock market echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the lucrative nature of the sheep trade.

“Business and sheep farming here are profitable. The prices vary, a large sheep with 35 kilos can reach as much as 100,000 RWF.” he says.

With the introduction of PRISM project, which facilitated the construction of a livestock market, farmers have seen significant improvements in their operations.

“The livestock market built by the PRISM project was beneficial to them because it used to be a place where they were rejected, but now they are also a place to save them,” notes the president.

PRISM or ‘Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Livestock Markets’ is a partnership project implemented by Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) through SPIU of IFAD Funded Projects.

Daphrose Nyirantezimana from Byangabo in Musanze District finds sheep farming both profitable and simple.

“We see sheep raising as a gold mine because the sheep here are valuable and they reproduce quickly,” she explains.

The appeal of sheep extends beyond Rwandan borders, with buyers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo recognizing their value.

One Congolese trader shares his intention to establish a market for sheep in Mukamira and sell them in his country.

Nathan Ndayambaje, an employee of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), sheds light on government efforts to enhance sheep raising.

“The government has prioritized the development of the raising of small livestock. Currently, we have 144 sheep of the best modern breed,” he reveals.

With sheep reproducing rapidly, the industry shows potential for fast growth and economic empowerment. As the government keeps supporting livestock farming, especially sheep raising, with projects like PRISM, the future seems promising for farmers in Nyabihu and beyond.

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