Rwanda seeks feed investment as livestock sector faces 15.9M-tonne supply gap

RWANDA – Rwanda is seeking greater investment in animal feed production as the country grapples with a widening feed deficit that is constraining livestock productivity and raising production costs across the poultry, dairy, pig and aquaculture sectors.

The government estimates the country requires about 15.9 million metric tonnes of animal feed annually, yet existing manufacturers have a combined production capacity of only 163,000 tonnes, leaving a significant supply gap.

According to Ronald Kabagambe, an Investment Marketing Analyst at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), expanding feed manufacturing capacity will be critical to supporting the country’s growing livestock industry.

“Establishing more animal feed manufacturing plants, particularly in districts such as Bugesera, will help boost livestock production and agricultural output,” Kabagambe said.

Rwanda’s livestock population comprises approximately 1.6 million cattle, 1.2 million pigs and 6.3 million poultry, making the sector a key contributor to food security, employment and economic growth.

However, inadequate feed supplies continue to affect producers across the country.

Feed shortages drive up costs

Pig farmers say the shortage of affordable, quality feed has significantly increased production costs.

Jean-Claude Shirimpumu, chairperson of the Rwanda Pig Farmers’ Association, said limited domestic production of key feed ingredients, particularly maize, remains one of the industry’s biggest constraints.

Rwanda produces more than 450,000 tonnes of maize annually, while total demand for human consumption and animal feed exceeds 850,000 tonnes, creating a deficit of nearly 500,000 tonnes.

The shortage has forced many feed manufacturers to operate below half of their installed capacity while depending on costly imported raw materials.

“As a result, the price of pig feed has risen from about Rwf285 to Rwf600 per kilogramme over the past few years. Besides being expensive, some feeds are also of poor quality. Farmers need both affordable and quality feed,” Shirimpumu said.

He added that many farmers have resorted to producing their own feed, although inconsistent formulations often reduce livestock performance.

Feed manufacturers are also struggling to secure sufficient raw materials.

Jean Marie Vianney Nsabimana, a member of a poultry farming and feed production cooperative in Gisagara District, said the cooperative can produce one tonne of feed per hour but rarely operates at full capacity because maize, soybeans and sunflower are in short supply.

Aquaculture producers face similar challenges.

Eline Nyirandagijimana, manager of Gishanda Fish Farm, said specialised broodstock feed is largely imported from Kenya, Egypt, France and Vietnam, making it both expensive and difficult for small-scale farmers to access.

Government targets feed security

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) is finalising new regulations to improve commercial feed quality and safety while encouraging greater investment in the sector.

According to Eugene Kwibuka, Agriculture Information and Communication Programme Manager at MINAGRI, feed manufacturing plants are currently operating at only 53% of installed capacity.

This is largely due to shortages and high prices of maize and soybeans, which together account for more than three-quarters of feed formulations.

To reduce reliance on imports, the government is increasing domestic production of maize and soybeans, expanding storage infrastructure, and supporting research into alternative ingredients such as Black Soldier Fly larvae protein and processed cassava peels for animal feed.

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