- Published by
- Palladium / Swisscontact
- Project implementer
- Palladium / Swisscontact
- Donor
- FCDO
- Programme
- Improving Market Systems for Agriculture in Rwanda (IMSAR)
- Results level
- Poverty reduction
- Intervention types
- Improved product / service quality
- Improved value chain coordination
Around 1.86 million rural households are involved in livestock farming in Rwanda and of these 33 per cent are rearing pigs.
While the pig sector has a high potential for growth due to the high demand for pork meat domestically and from neighbouring countries, there are several constraints hampering its inclusive growth.
IMSAR invested in establishing a contract farming model, partnering with two companies, for improved (exotic breed) pigs – a solution with the potential to address major constraints hampering the growth of the sector.
This brief describes the approach, results achieved and lessons learnt from these collaborations.
Intervention description
The programme partnered with Vision Agribusiness Farm (VAF) and Trebuco to establish contract farming models that provided smallholder farmers with access to piglets, inputs and extension services.
Key activities included providing piglets on credit, offering improved feed, veterinary services, and training on quality pigpen design. VAF distributed 490 piglets to 98 farmers, and Trebuco distributed 1,500 piglets to 300 farmers. Partners adopted the promoted models, and there was evidence of behaviour change, with farmers investing in better husbandry practices and showing a willingness to engage in contract farming beyond the project's support.