Rwanda steps up efforts to improve cattle genetics
The government imports high-quality bulls to boost dairy and meat productivity across the country.
RWANDA – Rwanda is intensifying its efforts to modernize livestock farming by introducing high-genetic-value bulls aimed at improving milk and meat production.
The move reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its agricultural sector and supporting farmers with better breeding stock.
On January 21, the National Office for the Development of Agriculture and Animal Resources (RAB) announced that it had received an initial batch of ten Holstein-Friesian dairy bulls from Germany. A second shipment of 20 bulls, including Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, Brown of the Alps, Angus, and Charolais breeds, is expected in April 2026.
“These animals have superior genetic characteristics capable of sustaining milk yields in excess of 10,000 litres per cow per lactation. Their arrival is expected to expand access to high-quality sperm, allowing farmers to raise healthier and more productive dairy herds,” RAB said in a statement.
The imported bulls will support Rwanda’s artificial insemination program by producing high-quality semen. This approach allows farmers to spread high-performing genes without purchasing expensive breeding animals.
The initiative forms part of Phase II of the Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP-2), a US$100 million program financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and running from 2024 to 2029. The project aims to modernize the dairy sector, increase productivity, and improve milk quality.
Building on past successes
Rwanda’s focus on cattle genetics is not new. Efforts began in 2006 under the “One Cow per Poor Family” program, known locally as Girinka, which introduced high-performing Holstein and Jersey cows to rural families.
Over the years, crossbreeding, artificial insemination, and veterinary training programs have expanded, supported by initiatives such as the Rwanda Dairy Development Projects and the Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation, now in its fifth phase.
These efforts have already shown results. According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s 2025 annual report, milk production rose by 29.3%, from 891,326 tons in 2021 to 1.15 million tons in 2025, while meat production grew by 25.5% to 219,523 tons.
Despite this growth, Rwanda’s livestock sector still has room to expand. The government aims to reach 1.32 million tons of milk and 247,223 tons of meat by 2029 under the Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 5).
By importing high-genetic bulls and strengthening artificial insemination programs, Rwanda hopes to provide farmers with better tools to increase yields, enhance meat quality, and support sustainable growth in the livestock sector.
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