Rwanda: Fighting Poverty With Cows

The latest innovation in President Kagame’s war against poverty in Rwanda is to arm as many households as possible with a cow.

The concept is simple: Dragging a plough, a cow can be used as a beast of burden to plough the land for  cultivation.

Dung will serve as a natural manure, while the milk can provide calcium and protein to nourish the family.

On a visit to Rwanda, before the just concluded BRICS conference in South Africa, Indian Prime Minister, Narenda Modi was so impressed with the idea that he promised to donate 200 cows.

No joking matter there. Some journalists wondered how Modi would do it,
Cows are regarded as sacred by Indian Hindus and roam the streets freely.

Not to worry. Observers were sure that the statesman-politician Modi would find way to do it right. At least,200 Rwandan families will get a lift from poverty.

But will there be a reliable supply of cows? Well, Modi promises 200 cows,why not 2000? “Ideas matter’’, says our correspondent. “The experiment should succeed”