Rwandan Poultry Cooperative Celebrates Success During Community Reinvestment Grant Award Ceremony

Jul 13, 2021

On June 10, 2021, Rwandan poultry cooperative COPRORIZ Ntende celebrated the presentation of two Community Reinvestment Grants (CRGs) to local cooperatives COTAVER and Rwimbogo Dairy Cooperative (RDC). CRGs are grants given to community-owned and -led groups by USADF grantees to continue supporting community initiated social and economic development activities. After receiving initial USADF grant funding in 2018 for new infrastructure, improved equipment, trainings, and technical support, COPRORIZ Ntende was able to increase the local availability of poultry products and raise incomes for cooperative members. Following its grant agreement, the cooperative selected COTAVER and RDC to receive the CRGs.

COTAVER is a youth-led cooperative that transports people and goods on bicycles (abanyonzi) across the Gatsibo region of Rwanda. The grant allowed the cooperative to purchase 24 new bicycles, enabling it to increase transport capacity and incomes for its members. With the additional profit, the cooperative will purchase more bicycles and continue expanding its operations.

RDC is a dairy farming cooperative operating in Rwanda’s Gatsibo district. The cooperative received funding from COPRORIZ Ntende to purchase essential veterinary pharmaceuticals for cooperative members’ livestock, preventing losses in livestock due to preventable diseases. The grant allowed farmers to purchase the drugs at an affordable rate, keeping their animals healthy and increasing the amount of animal products they were able to sell. RDC expects to develop and grow the veterinary pharmacy’s operations in the future.

RDC's Veterinary Pharmacy

Notably in attendance were COPRORIZ Ntende president Mr. Elysee Rugwizangoga, the host of the event, and the guest of honor and mayor of Gatsibo District, Mr. Richard Gasana. Mr. Gasana acknowledged the work done by COPRORIZ Ntende and expressed gratitude to USADF for extending the original grant that is now reaching many other community members in the Gatsibo District. He urged the CRG beneficiaries to go further and help even smaller community groups, thereby creating a ripple effect that will continue to improve lives and livelihoods for years to come. Also present was USADF/ADC representative Mr. Eliasaph Kalisa, who wished the awardees well.