PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Feed the Future Orora Wihaze Activity

Increasing availability, access, and consumption of animal-sourced foods in Rwanda
2019 – 2024

The Feed the Future Rwanda Orora Wihaze Activity works with local partners and private sector actors in Rwanda to strengthen the animal-sourced foods market system. In Kinyarwanda, “Orora Wihaze” translates to “raising animals for self-sufficiency.” True to its name, the activity supports animal-sourced food producer and consumer households in eight districts of Rwanda to sustainably increase the availability of, access to, and consumption of animal-sourced foods by spurring market development. Orora Wihaze strengthens private-sector-led value chains and increases demand for animal-sourced foods to help people access nutritious food – with a focus on increasing the nutritional status of women of reproductive age and children. Orora Wihaze uses evidence-driven approaches to source, incubate, scale, and replicate innovative solutions to address root constraints in the market system that hamper animal-sourced food production and consumption, while boosting market access to rural areas.

PROJECT FOCUS AREAS

1. Strengthening animal-sourced food value chains

Orora Wihaze drives change throughout Rwanda’s animal-sourced food market systems by supporting a policy environment that enables private-sector driven market transformation.

2. Improving women and children’s nutritional status

Orora Wihaze is improving women and children’s nutritional status by increasing knowledge of nutritional and health benefits of animal-sourced foods, increasing access to appropriate and affordable products, and empowering women to make nutrition decisions in the household.

3. Partnering with the private sector to spur market transformation

The activity works with private sector partners across the value chain to ensure sustainable outcomes for Rwanda’s markets beyond the life of the program. Orora Wihaze is committed to enhancing the productivity of market actors in livestock production by facilitating access to quality inputs, extension service, tailored financial products and stronger market linkages.

COUNTRY CONTEXT

Rwanda

Despite the country’s extraordinary achievements in the health sector, stunting rates in Rwanda remain stubbornly high. A majority of households in Rwanda do not regularly consume animal-sourced foods due to limiting dietary norms, limited availability, and costs (or perceived costs). Lack of appropriate financing and poor coordination between public and private sector actors further limits access to animal-sourced foods. Orora Wihaze works to increase consumption of foods that provide vital nutrients and play an important role in cognitive development.