Construction of Rwanda's third liquid nitrogen production plant has reached 80 percent and is expected to be completed by December, a development expected to strengthen artificial insemination services and improve livestock breeding. Liquid nitrogen is used in the storage of animal semen at extremely cold temperatures. The facility, located in Rusera Cell, Kabarondo Sector in Kayonza District, is being built under the second phase of the Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP II). It occupies one hectare and includes a liquid nitrogen storage facility, staff accommodation, power generation units, and other supporting infrastructure. Didace Ngoga, an official at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) overseeing the project, said civil works are nearing completion. Construction has reached 80 percent and we expect all building works to be completed before the end of the year. The production equipment has already been procured abroad and will be installed once it arrives, he said. Rwanda currently operates only two liquid nitrogen production plants, located in Rubirizi and Rubona. The limited number of plants has made it difficult to supply nitrogen to livestock farmers, particularly those in Eastern Province. According to Ngoga, the new plant will significantly improve the preservation and distribution of semen used in artificial insemination, reducing losses associated with inadequate nitrogen supplies. Livestock farmers in Eastern Province will have reliable access to liquid nitrogen, ensuring semen is properly preserved. This will improve conception rates and support the production of higher-quality cattle breeds, he said. Kayonza District Acting Mayor Fred Hategekimana said the project remains on schedule, and noted that the facility will enable livestock farmers to access better artificial insemination services. The project is expected to cost Rwf1.4 billion and will have the capacity to produce 45 litres of liquid nitrogen per hour, exceeding the combined output of Rwanda's two existing nitrogen plants. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources shows that shortages of liquid nitrogen have affected the country's artificial insemination programme. The number of cattle inseminated declined from 122,613 in the 2022/23 fiscal year to 117,105 in 2023/24, largely due to inadequate supplies of liquid nitrogen.
