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The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has launched a large-scale emergency vaccination campaign against Swine Erysipelas in Rutsiro District. This urgent intervention addresses a recent outbreak of the disease that has endangered the piggery value chain and rural livelihoods in the region.
The campaign is part of the Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) project, funded by the European Union. FAO has supplied 10,000 doses of Swine Erysipelas vaccines to immunize 5,000 pigs in the district, aiming to reduce disease prevalence and mortality, increase pig productivity, and boost household incomes.
“This campaign is not just about disease control, it’s about securing the livelihoods of smallholder pig farmers and building resilience in the piggery value chain,” said Thomas Ameny, FAO Rwanda Representative, during the launch event.
The initiative also aligns with the broader goals of the CDI-DeSIRA project, which focuses on strengthening innovation partnerships, enhancing technical capacities, and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices.
In Rutsiro, these interventions include genetic improvement through drone-assisted artificial insemination, sustainable feed technologies such as hydroponic fodder and black soldier fly farming, and practical learning platforms like Farmer Field Schools (FFS).
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Fabrice Ndayisenga, Head of Animal Resources Research and Technology Transfer at RAB, highlighted the strategic importance of the campaign: “Vaccinating pigs against Swine Erysipelas is vital for protecting animal health, boosting household incomes, and enhancing food security.”
The vaccination rollout follows a participatory approach involving veterinarians, local authorities, farmer cooperatives, and development partners. Activities include:
- Community mobilization via radio and local meetings
- Refresher training for veterinary officers
- Cold chain management for vaccine efficacy
- Field vaccination sessions
- Real-time data collection and impact monitoring
Beyond immediate disease control, the campaign also seeks to strengthen veterinary services, improve awareness of biosecurity practices, enhance meat quality and market access, and reduce long-term veterinary costs by empowering farmers to reinvest in their operations and improve economic resilience.
This campaign reinforces DeSIRA’s core mission: promoting agricultural innovation, climate adaptation, and sustainable development in Rwanda’s piggery sector.
www.rab.gov.rw
