PM Modi gifts cows to villagers in Rwanda

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister appreciated the Girinka Programme, and President Paul Kagame’s initiative in this regard. He said people in India too would be pleasantly surprised to see the cow being given such importance as a means of economic empowerment in villages in faraway Rwanda. He spoke of the similarity in rural life in the two countries. He said that the Girinka Programme will help transform villages in Rwanda, according to a PIB release. 

The word Girinka can be translated as ‘may you have a cow’ and describes a centuries-old cultural practice in Rwanda whereby a cow was given by one person to another as a sign of respect and gratitude.

Girinka was initiated by President Paul Kagame in response to the alarmingly high rate of childhood malnutrition and as a way to accelerate poverty reduction and integrate livestock and crop farming. Since its introduction in 2006 hundreds of thousands have received cows through the Girinka programme. By June 2016, a total of 2,48,566 cows has been distributed to poor households.

The programme has contributed to an increase in agricultural production in Rwanda – especially milk production and products, reduced malnutrition and increased incomes.