Every morning, before dawn, Faustin Ndayisenga walks to his cattle shed in Nyamabuye Sector, Muhanga District, with something unusual for a farmer: a small radio. As his cows are readied for milking, slow, soothing music fills the air, and something remarkable happens. The animals become calmer, approach the milking area more easily, and end up producing more milk than they did before he started this practice. ALSO READ: Govt outlines actions to boost milk production after missed target Ndayisenga said he realized that music makes his animals feel better and increases their milk production, something that turned him into a sought-after advisor among fellow farmers in his community. You find that things are better because the cows are calm, he explained, describing how his cattle responded to the soothing music. What he may not have known is that his innovative approach aligns with scientific research conducted in some of the world's most advanced farming nations. ALSO READ: Rwanda banks on ‘hydroponic fodder’ tech to boost milk production Dr. Alphonse Nshimiyimana, the Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors, witnessed this same phenomenon during his travels to Germany, South Africa, and the USA over 20 years ago. Research has shown that during milking, there is music that farmers play before milking so that the cow can relax and move to the milking machine, he recalls. I followed up with them, and they told me that certain symphonies work well, he added. The farms he visited would play music consistently before milking time, training their cattle to associate the sounds with feeding and milking routines. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s milk production exceeds one million tonnes The veterinary expert explained that the science behind this practice is rooted in animal behavior and stress reduction. Just as humans respond differently to their environment when relaxed versus stressed, animals also produce better results when they feel calm and secure. Animals are like humans, he said, adding that peaceful music helps create the ideal conditions for milk production. The approach builds on traditional Rwandan farming methods that have long recognized the importance of gentle animal handling. Rwandan farmers, in the past, used gentle words and familiar routines to calm their cattle, creating a foundation that modern music therapy can enhance. For farmers considering this approach, Dr. Nshimiyimana suggests adapting the method to farm size and resources. Large operations with 10 to 20 cows can set up systematic music programs alongside proper nutrition schedules, sometimes adding small amounts of sugar to feed during the training period to keep cattle grouped together. Smaller farms with one or two cows can continue using traditional gentle handling methods while incorporating simple music systems, often placing calves near their mothers during feeding to maintain familiar family bonds. I advise them to raise their animals, make them familiar with their life, and not always be lonely because they are very productive, he said.
