With adaptation finance needs estimated at about US$ 50 billion a year for Sub-Saharan Africa, the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Rwanda are playing their part by launching the Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP) phase II.

The US$ 100.37 million project will build on the successes of the previous phase by scaling up sustainable interventions along the dairy value chain that improves efficiencies, access to markets, nutrition, increase productivity and reduce poverty for rural poor households in 27 districts in Rwanda over the next six years.

“IFAD is pleased to scale up our investment in the dairy sector following a successful phase one of the project. The new phase will aim to improve efficiencies in the value chain by leveraging digitization and private sector financing that transform food systems, improve incomes and nutrition of Rwandans,” said Dagmawi Habte-Selassie, IFAD Country Director, Rwanda.

The dairy sector in the country has grown significantly over the years with milk production increasing nine-fold shifting the country from a milk importer to becoming self-sufficient. With the increase in production, individual consumption has increased from 20 litres in 2006 to 75 litres annually in 2021, with the potential to improve nutritional status of children.