Why cow is the best gift in Rwanda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted 200 cows to Rwandan people Tuesday July 24,2018 to support Girinka programme of country's President Paul Kagame

Cow is equally revered in Rwanda and is considered the best gift for which the Rwandan government runs an ambitious scheme. Called Girinka programme, it was launched by President Kagame in 2006 to fight poverty and child malnutrition, and enhance food, nutritional and financial security of people. Girinka literally means "may you have a cow"

According to Rwandan government's website dedicated to Girinka, the program was set up with the central aim of reducing child malnutrition rates and increasing household incomes of poor farmers. "These goals are directly achieved through increased access to, and consumption of milk, by providing poor households with a heifer," the Rwandan agriculture ministry defines the objectives of Girinka programme.

Why cow?
Rwandan culture has a strong connect with cows. In Rwandan tradition, cow is the most prized belonging to a family. Cows have been the symbol of wealth, social status, source of milk, blood cake, meat and hides, and best gifts that one Rwandan could give to a fellow countryman.

In traditional Rwandan families, dowry is still paid in terms of cows. But here dowry is paid by the bridegroom's family to the bride's. Girinka itself is traced back to a 17th century Rwandan king named, Mibambwe Gisanura, who decreed that "no child was ever to lack daily milk again". With this began the practice of gifting cows in Rwanda. President Kagame revived Girinka in 2006.

Why now?

Like many other Sub-Saharan countries, Rwanda has been a poor country. Low agricultural productivity and lack of industrial growth have been biggest challenges in Rwanda. A substantial number of rural families depend on subsistence agriculture on small farmlands. This set up led to widescale poverty and low level income for farmers.

President Kagame launched Girinka program to address the fundamental needs of the country especially the rural areas facing critical food insecurity. Girinka has helped Rwanda reduce poverty through dairy farming and improved livelihood of people. Milk consumption has increased and so has income of people.

As a byproduct of Girinka programme, Rwanda has seen increased use of bio-fertilisers, which helped it fight soil quality degradation and erosion. Need for fodder for cows has led to planting of grasses and trees, thus improving environment.

And, how it works?

Under One Cow One Family Girinka programme, a poor household is given a cow in reproducing age.

 When first female calf is born of the cow, it is gifted to a neighbour as a mark of brotherhood and national solidarity.

A beneficiary is selected at village level in every district of Rwanda. The government provides budget for fodder, vaccination and other veterinary services, and artificial insemination.

Rwanda aims to move from low income group nation to middle income group in next two years through Girinka programme as part of its Vision 2020

 Against a target of distributing cows to 3,50,000 families, Rwanda had already provided heifers to around 2,50,000 families by June 2016.

According Rwandan government, Girinka program has promoted unity and reconciliation among Rwandans, and has brought the cultural principle of the country back in focus.

It is here cows connect Rwanda with India. This explains why PM Modi decided to gift 200 cows to local Rwandans.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Donates 200 Cows to Villagers in Rwanda

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Rwandan President Paul Kagame look on, at Rweru Model village, in Rwanda. Modi donated 200 cows under 'Girinka' (one cow per poor family programme)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi feeds a cow after he donated 200 cows under 'Girinka' (one cow per poor family programme), at Rweru Model village, in Rwanda. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in 'Girinka' (one cow per poor family programme), for which he has donated 200 cows, at Rweru Model village, in Rwanda on Tuesday, July 24, 201