In Rwanda, livestock is more than just an agricultural asset, it is a lifeline for millions of farmers, contributing significantly to livelihoods, food security, and economic growth. The sector contributes over 14% of agricultural GDP and involves approximately 61% of farm households. However, urbanization, population growth, and climate induced shocks (such as animal diseases) are increasingly shaping the sector’s performance. With this in mind, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), convened a workshop between December 4th -December 6th, 2024, to share with partners and participants the various livestock analysis tools available in their arsenal.
Delivering the opening address, Ms. Mathilda Mukasekuru, the Animal Products and Supply Chain Market Analyst at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), highlighted the critical role of livestock in the economy and its significance for Rwandan farmers. She also emphasized the pressing challenges faced by the sector, including diseases, urbanization, and climate change. Ms. Mukasekuru officially opened the workshop, setting the tone for an engaging and productive three days.
Dr. Joseph Karugia, Principal Scientist at ILRI, underscored the often-overlooked importance of livestock in development. He elaborated on livestock’s contributions to economic growth, human health, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability, while calling for increased investment and attention to the sector. Dr. James Warner, Research Fellow and Program Leader for IFPRI’s Rwanda Strategy Support Program, further emphasized livestock’s prominence in Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA5). He provided an overview of smallholder livestock systems and highlighted the economic and nutritional benefits of animal-sourced foods.
The workshop featured interactive sessions facilitated by leading researchers, namely Dr. Emerta Aragie, Research Fellow in IFPRI’s Foresight and Policy Modelling Unit; Dr. Sirak Bahta, Senior Agricultural Economist with ILRI; Dr. Admasu Asfaw Maruta, a post-doctoral fellow at ILRI; and Dr. Derek Chan, post-doctoral fellow at ILRI, focusing on a suite of tools designed to analyze and enhance the livestock sector. The covered sessions included:
The economic analysis session which introduced participants to the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) and multiplier analysis. SAMs are national accounting frameworks that capture the circular flow of receipts and payments within an economy. The facilitator presented findings from a study that evaluated livestock sector interventions using the Rwanda Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) and Herd Dynamics models. Results demonstrated that livestock interventions have moderate but sustained impacts on agricultural GDP and significant effects on the livestock sector, providing insights into cost-effective policy options.
Participants got to engage in exercises to map Rwanda’s diverse livestock production systems. Facilitators demonstrated the use of the Livestock Sector Investment and Policy Toolkit (LSIPT) to assess value chains and inform decision-making. Through collaborative discussions, participants identified strengths, constraints, opportunities, and threats across key value chains, including beef, dairy, poultry, pork, fish, and small ruminants. The session underscored the importance of value chain analysis in optimizing sector performance.
In a session exploring the effects of mortality rate shocks, participants were introduced to integrated livestock models such as Dynmod and the multi-market partial equilibrium model (SectorM). Facilitators shared evidence from studies linking these models, highlighting their ability to provide robust insights into sector dynamics and guide policy interventions. Tools such as the PPR Simulator and the FMD Mortality and Vaccination Impact Model were also demonstrated, enabling participants to experiment with various livestock scenarios.
The workshop emphasized the value of capacity building and the exchange of expertise. Researchers from IFPRI’s Foresight and Policy Modelling Unit and ILRI’s People, Policies and Institutions program guided participants through hands-on sessions that fostered deeper engagement with the tools and methodologies. Participants gained practical experience using tools such as SAMs, LSIPT, and SectorM, which are crucial for data-driven decision-making in the livestock sector.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Karugia acknowledged the workshop’s success in fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between local and international experts in contextualizing and validating research findings. Dr. Karugia expressed his appreciation for the insights shared and emphasized ILRI’s commitment to furthering such partnerships to support evidence-based policy design in Rwanda’s livestock sector.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to explore innovative tools and methodologies for livestock policy analysis. By equipping participants with these resources, IFPRI and ILRI have taken an important step toward strengthening Rwanda’s livestock sector in the face of evolving challenges. The insights and skills gained during the workshop are expected to contribute to more informed and impactful policy interventions, supporting sustainable development and economic growth in Rwanda.
Authors
Josue Niyonsingiza- Senior Research Analyst, Rwanda Strategy Support Program, Development Strategies and Governance, IFPRI.
Dr. James Warner, Research Fellow and Program Leader for IFPRI’s Rwanda Strategy Support Program, Development Strategies and Governance.
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