How Nyaruguru Farmers Built a Rwf 3.6 Million Cooperative from One Pig Each

What began with a single pig given to each farmer has grown into a thriving livestock cooperative worth Rwf 3.6 million in Rusenge Sector, Nyaruguru District.

Members of Jyambere – Mworozi Rusenge Cooperative say the transformation was made possible through training and support from the Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Livestock Markets (PRISM) project, which helped farmers move from individual livestock keeping to organized cooperative farming.

Located in Bunge Village, Bunge Cell, the cooperative is now a symbol of how collaboration, knowledge and improved farming practices can transform rural livelihoods.

Jean Pierre Bagirubwira, the president of the cooperative, said the journey started when farmers in the area were still working individually and lacked the knowledge needed to manage livestock effectively.

“Before the project started working with us, many livestock keepers raised animals individually without enough knowledge or support. We faced many challenges, including limited skills in livestock management and the high cost of animal feed,” he said.

He explained that the initiative began when PRISM provided one pig to each farmer, which later became the foundation of their collective progress.

“Initially, before we formed the cooperative, each person received one pig from PRISM. Later, we decided to come together and form a group, bringing those pigs together as the starting point of our cooperative,” Bagirubwira said.

Through the project, farmers also received training that encouraged them to organize themselves and work collectively.

“As livestock farmers, we learned that working as a team is very important,” he added.

Today, each member owns at least three pigs, and the cooperative’s combined assets are estimated at Rwf 3.6 million, all built from the initial pigs provided to members.

The cooperative currently has 24 members, including 10 women and 14 men, all working together to improve livestock farming and strengthen their household incomes.

Training has been one of the biggest benefits farmers received through the PRISM project. Members were trained in livestock management, helping them understand how to properly raise animals, prevent diseases and increase productivity.

They also received training on nutrition and healthy diets, which has helped families improve the quality of food consumed at home.

Another key area of training focused on animal feed production, where farmers learned innovative ways to produce affordable and nutritious feed.

These methods include the use of Azolla, hydroponic technology and black soldier flies, techniques that allow farmers to produce their own feed and reduce dependence on expensive commercial products.

Bagirubwira said these skills have significantly improved the way the cooperative manages its livestock activities.

“The training we received helped us learn how to take care of our animals properly and how to produce animal feed ourselves. This knowledge has helped us a lot,” he said.

Libère Ayingeneye, a member of the cooperative and mother of eight children, said life was extremely difficult before receiving support from the project.

“Before receiving support from the project, life was very difficult for my family. I have eight children to care for, and meeting basic needs such as food, school fees and other household expenses was a daily struggle,” she said.

Her journey started when she received one pig through the PRISM project, along with training in livestock management and farming practices.

“That pig was the starting point for me. The training we received helped me understand how to take care of it well,” she explained.

By applying the knowledge she gained, the pig reproduced and her livestock activities gradually expanded.

Today, Ayingeneye owns four pigs, and the income generated from pig farming has enabled her to make important investments for her family.

She has been able to purchase a cow worth Rwf 500,000 and one hectare of land valued at Rwf 2.5 million.

Ayingeneye also joined a community savings group, which helps her manage her finances and plan for the future.

“I can now pay school fees for my children and provide basic needs for my household, something that was very difficult before,” she said.

Martin Hategekimana, the PRISM community facilitator in Nyaruguru District, said the project focuses on equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to sustainably improve livestock production.

“Our role is to train farmers on proper pig management, feed preparation, nutrition and hygiene,” he said.

“We also guide them to adopt climate-smart practices such as azolla and hydroponics, which reduce costs and improve productivity.”

According to Hategekimana, the progress seen among farmers demonstrates the power of collective action and knowledge sharing.

“Seeing farmers succeed, saving money, feeding their children and expanding their livestock shows how collective effort and knowledge transfer can transform lives. In this community, pig farming is not just agriculture; it is resilience in action,” he said.

Implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the PRISM project operates in 15 districts across Rwanda.

With a budget of USD 45 million, the project supports value chains in pigs, poultry, goats and sheep, aiming to strengthen livestock markets and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across the country.