by Alan Jacques
THE Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) are sending four Irish dairy cows to Rwanda through Limerick-based aid agency Bóthar to celebrate the International Year of Family Farming.
According to President of ICMSA John Comer, his association wanted to mark their commitment to the idea of the family farm and underline ICMSA’s belief that the family farm plays a hugely constructive and cohesive social role in addition to its fundamental economic activity.
“We wanted to make a gesture to symbolise what the year is about while, at the same time, make a real difference,” Mr Comer explained.
“We understand the impact that Bóthar’s work has in the developing world and by sending four Irish dairy cows, one for every province in Ireland, we are taking action in the fight to end hunger and poverty,” he commented.
Bóthar’s executive director Deirdre M Ryan said she was “encouraged” by the efforts of the ICMSA and hopes that other organisations will follow their example. Any farmer, she said, knows the value and impact a cow can have.
“It is a food-and-income producing animal and in the developing world, cows are saving lives. Our Irish dairy cows produce 16 to 20 litres of milk per day, whereas in Rwanda, the local, indigenous cow will yield just one litre of milk per day.
“After they have consumed what they need themselves in their family, our recipient farmers can sell leftover milk at their local market and earn a small income,” Ms Ryan explained.
The Irish dairy cows will be sent to Rusizi in Western Rwanda where they will be gifted to impoverished families who are currently in training and making the necessary preparations to receive their animal.
For further information or to send an Irish dairy cow to Rwanda phone 1850 82 99 99 or visit www.bothar.org.
