Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
CLOSE to two million chicks have been distributed to households for free under the Presidential Poultry Scheme since its inception in 2022.
At least three million households have been meant to benefit from the revamped programme.
Beneficiaries are receiving 10 indigenous poultry chicks each as part of a targeted empowerment programme.
The initiative is aimed at boosting household food security and livelihoods by empowering smallholder farmers.
Households also get chicken mesh and stress packs. According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, 1 987 861 chicks have been distributed across the country.
In 2022, 368 331 chicks were distributed, followed by 808 122 in 2023.
In 2024, 751 408 chicks were distributed.
So far this year, 59 100 chicks have been given out. “The Presidential Poultry Scheme is a crucial initiative that empowers smallholder farmers and improves household food security,” said Mr Leonard Munamati, the acting chief director of the Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services (ARDAS) in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
“By providing free chicks to farmers, we are enabling them to increase their poultry production and generate income.”
The programme, he said, has seen varying levels of distribution across provinces.
Mashonaland East province has the highest cumulative number of chickens distributed since the inception of the Presidential Poultry Scheme in 2022, at 390 925, followed by Mashonaland West (195 747 birds) and Masvingo (172 828 birds).
Mr Munamati emphasised the importance of the programme in supporting rural livelihoods. “Poultry farming is a viable economic activity for many rural households,” he said.
“By providing access to quality chicks and supporting farmers with training and technical assistance, we are empowering them to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the country’s economic growth.”
Initially, the Government had targeted to support 1,8 million households through a pass-on scheme, whereby the first group of beneficiaries was expected to pass on 10 two-month-old chicks to the second group of beneficiaries, who would, in turn, pass on to the third group within two years.
This has since been upgraded to three million beneficiaries, with 30 million chicks set to be supplied, as the programme is no longer a pass-on scheme.
The breeds distributed include Boschveld, Australorp, Koekoek, Sasso, Kuroiler and indigenous chickens.
