The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) through the Forest Landscape Restoration in the Mayaga Region – Green Amayaga Project has from 22^nd April 2022 started distributing small livestock to project beneficiaries in the Project intervention zones.

Around 180 households in the sectors of Rugarika, Nyamiyaga, Mugina and Nyarubaka of Kamonyi district were provided with pigs. In the sectors of Busasamana, Busoro, Muyira, Ntyazo, Kigoma and Kibirizi of Nyanza district, 1139 households were provided with goats.

The project will improve the livelihoods of local communities, increase agricultural productivity and food security, create green jobs as well as promote gender equality and expand forest management knowledge. More than 1.3 million people will benefit from the project, the majority women and young people.

The goats and pigs were distributed to vulnerable beneficiaries as part of efforts to improve the livelihoods of communities and help poor families get out of poverty.

During the six years of the implementation, Green Amayaga Project will provide 7,500 households with livestock to improve food security and increase incomes.

In Gisagara district, 113 households are expected to be provided with cows, while 952 households in Ruhango districts will be provided with goats.

“Green Amayaga Project is yours. All the activities being carried out through this project are being carried out to improve your livelihoods, and build your resilience to the impact of climate change. It is therefore everyone’s responsibility to sustain the project activities so their benefits last for future generations, said Songa Remy, Green Amayaga Project Coordinator, at the distribution event.

Beneficiaries believe that the livestock will help them get out of poverty, afford to pay for community-based health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) and pay school fees for their children once the livestock breeds.

Apart from improving the livelihoods of communities, Green Amayaga Project will afforest degraded ecosystems and restore the natural forests of four districts in Rwanda’s Southern Province. It will promote biodiversity, foster ecosystem services, increase agricultural productivity and reduce the vulnerability of people and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change.

The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is being implemented by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) in partnership with the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) and the districts of Kamonyi, Ruhango, Nyanza and Gisagara.