KICUKIRO - In a bid to fight poverty, Kicukiro District authorities announced plans to establish a modern cattle farm in the area.

 The district Mayor, Paul Jules Ndamage disclosed this, yesterday, shortly after a meeting with a delegation from Saint-Ouen city in France who visited the district to strengthen the year-old bilateral cooperation between the two cities.

"We are setting up a modern farm of about 100 cows to help the poor who are not in position to look after the cows by themselves,” Ndamage said.

The farm, he said, will also encompass a cheese processing plant, adding that the initiative is already in the pipeline.

"Currently, we have a small farm which we are going to expand by putting in more cows and plant cow-fodder,” he added.

The initiative is a boon to some of the vulnerable groups who, previously, could not benefit from the government’s One Cow per Household program since they do not fulfill the basic requirements like owning a modern cowshed and means to feed the animal.

"We want to set up this farm to help the poor who can not afford to look after these cows, get manure, milk and money from sales to support their families. As leaders, we have the responsibility to look for ways to support all kinds of communities,” he explained.

He noted that the bilateral cooperation between the city of Saint-Ouen and Kicukiro will help the latter’s population, especially the youth to get a clear understanding of Rwanda.

"This cooperation will, in one way, help residents of Saint-Ouen city to know the truth about Rwanda. France is one of the countries habouring many genocide suspects, and this partnership would also see of them apprehended,” said Ndamage

Thierry Touzet, Saint-Ouen Head of International Relation, who led the delegation, commended Kicukiro and the country in general for the successes attained in development, which he said is contrary to what they have been hearing.

He said that the cooperation will enhance the understanding of the two cities and their respective countries in general.

The partnership would also see women basket weavers in Kicukiro get markets for their products in Saint-Ouen.

The delegation was also in the country to attend the 17th anniversary of the country’s Liberation.

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