Rwanda | Ngororero: College APEJERWA Nyange to promote modern rats farming

APEJERWA Nyanjye School in Ngororero District has embarked on promoting modern rats keeping that residents can afford to buy.

Modern rats

APEJERWA Nyanjye (Association des Parents pour l’education de la jeunesse Rwandaise de Nyange) is an agricultural school with livestock and crop husbandry departments.

While many people rear cows because of Rwandan culture and the importance of cows, modern farming has become expensive to be afforded by everybody.

However much cow keeping is precious, some people do not pay attention to small livestock, yet it is important to keep it as it has helped some to save money and bought cows.

Also, there are some small livestock like sheep that can be reared with the cows and also rabbits, chicken and others that can be kept alongside the cows.

Mrs. Marie Claire Umutesiwase, APEJERWA Nyange head teacher revealed to umworozi.com that the meat of this modern rat is rich in nutrients which can improve malnutrition fighting to the poor residents.

Umutesiwase adds that residents have started showing interest in rat keeping and the school gets time to sell them to the public. One rat costs Rwf500 and can produce 8 off springs within three months.

Although Ngororero administration approves the idea, some residents still look at the rats as non edible stuff in Rwandan culture.

Apart from promoting modern agriculture among residents, rat keeping will help the students of this school to improve their knowledge and carrying out research on agriculture.