The Impact of Small Livestock Project Intervention on Household Welfare in Rwanda. A Case Study of the Prism Project in Burera District

Abstract

Livestock remains a cornerstone of rural livelihoods worldwide, contributing significantly to food security, economic growth, and poverty reduction. Globally, over 1.3 billion people rely on livestock, which contributes around 40% to agricultural GDP (FAO, 2018). In developing economies, livestock development is a critical pathway for improving rural well-being. In East Africa, livestock supports rural development by providing employment, export income, and nutrition (Thornton, Herrero, & Ericksen, 2020). For example, Kenya’s East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) project increased milk production by 80% through private-sector partnerships and milk collection hubs. In Rwanda, where 72% of the population depends on agriculture, small livestock programs like Girinka have enhanced rural livelihoods by increasing milk production and household income. Despite its importance, the sector faces significant global challenges, including climate change, zoonotic diseases, and market instability. Uganda experienced a 60% livestock mortality rate in 2021, with 40% of poultry losses due to Newcastle disease. Rwanda faces 30% post-harvest losses due to market barriers, and Somalia’s pastoralists have lost up to 60% of their herds during droughts. Rural areas in Rwanda, including Burera District, continue to experience malnutrition, poverty, and limited market access. To address these gaps, the PRISM project was introduced to distribute livestock, improve markets, provide training, and empower farmers through self-help groups (Heifer International, 2023). However, the project’s localized impact had not been fully assessed. This study evaluated PRISM’s effectiveness in Burera District using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data from 314 beneficiaries were analyzed with SPSS, while qualitative insights came from focus groups and interviews. Results showed a strong uptake of core interventions: livestock distribution (86.6%), training (92.9%), income diversification (92%), and access to animal-source foods (99.4%). Yet, challenges remained in gender equity training (40.8%), veterinary services (59.6%), and market linkage (19.4%). The findings underscore the need for integrated policies that combine grassroots empowerment with private-sector partnerships and subsidized services. This study informs Rwanda’s agricultural policies and offers scalable lessons for similar contexts in Africa.