adminVictor Maphosa Mashonaland East Correspondent.
At least 54 livestock farmers have benefited from the Government’s Command Livestock programme in Mashonaland East Province, an official has said. In an interview with The Herald after disbursing 20 000 chicks to 12 Marondera District farmers yesterday, Mashonaland East provincial livestock officer Mr John Taderera urged beneficiaries of the programme to utilise their stock and deliver.
“Today we are giving 20 000 birds to 12 Marondera District farmers as the pilot project continues,” he said. “Most of these farmers had stopped chicken farming due to various reasons, which include finance and market challenges, now the Government has provided all that is needed for chicken production, including markets, so it is a major boost for them and I urge them to work hard for them to deliver.”
Mr Taderera said Government was satisfied with the progress and performance of farmers who benefited first in Mashonaland East Province.
“We are happy with the progress in all the districts, which had benefited so far and I urge all beneficiaries to follow all the instructions to realise maximum benefits of this programme,” he said.
In a separate interview after receiving 2 000 chicks under the programme, farmer Mrs Hilda Kadye commended the Government for the programme, saying the initiative was a big boost to most farmers who had been struggling with their chicken projects.
“I used to keep chickens, but I had since stopped due to financial and market challenges,” she said. “But now the Government has provided us with everything needed to keep chickens from day one to the last day and there is a ready market for us, so I appreciate this programme and I welcome it.”
Another beneficiary, Mr Tinashe Dera from Ward 2 in Marondera, said he had been affected by lack of funds.
“We used to keep small quantities of chicks due to lack of money,” he said. “We have received chicken feed and all that is needed to keep the chickens healthy.
“The Government made sure we got training for this programme, and as farmers we are grateful, we will support our Government by making sure this programme is a success.”
Mr Edmore Mutsinze said by sourcing markets for chickens on behalf of livestock farmers, Government had solved one of their major challenges.
“This programme will help in that those who benefited will have a ready market for chickens, thanks to the Government,” he said. “The programme also will ensure the availability of meat, especially chickens, in the country.”
Last month, African envoys commissioned a fully equipped chicken abattoir in Chihota, Marondera District, in support of the Government’s Command Livestock programme.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter