International Year of Family Farming sees Irish Farmers supporting Rwandan farmers

Bóthar is delighted to announce that the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) has pledged to send four Irish dairy cows to impoverished families in Rusizi, Western Rwanda to celebrate the International Year of Family Farming.

The International Year of Family Farming is a UN initiative that aims to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farming by focusing world attention on the significant role played by small rural family farms in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development.

John Comer, the President of ICMSA, said his association wanted to mark their commitment to the idea of the family farm and underline ICMSA’s belief that the family farm plays a hugely constructive and cohesive social role in addition to its fundamental economic activity. "We wanted to make a gesture to symbolise what the year is about while, at the same time, make a real difference. We understand the impact that Bóthar's work has in the Developing World and by sending four Irish dairy cows, one for every province in Ireland, we are taking action in the fight to end hunger and poverty. As a farming organisation particularly orientated towards the family farm, we wanted to help farming families in the Developing World.”

Bóthar was encouraged by the efforts of the ICMSA and hopes that other organisations will follow their example. "Bóthar is very grateful to the ICMSA and all it's members for this support. Any farmer knows the value and impact a cow can have. It is a food-and-income producing animal and in the Developing World, cows are saving lives. Our Irish dairy cows produce 16-20 litres of milk per day, whereas for example in Rwanda, the local, indigenous cow will yield just one litre of milk per day. After they have consumed what they need themselves in their family, our recipient farmers can sell leftover milk at their local market and earn a small income. 

The Irish dairy cows will be sent to Rwanda later this year to families who are currently in training and making the necessary preparations to receive their animal.

To celebrate the International Year of the Farming Family, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) will be sending four in-calf dairy heifers, one representing every province in Ireland, to struggling families in Rusizi, Western Rwanda early next year. Bóthar is very grateful to the ICMSA and its members, for this donation which will be helping impoverished families raise themselves above the poverty line.  

For further information or to send an Irish dairy cow to Rwanda phone 1850 82 99 99