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Monalisa Chikwengo
INCREASING demand for white meat as consumers become more health conscious has seen the production of day-old chicks in Zimbabwe increasing by 24 percent from 91, 6 million in 2021 to 113, 9 million in 2022, the second round Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment (CLAFA – 2) report for the 2022/23 summer season has revealed.
The report that was released by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development recently highlighted that broiler chickens were in high demand due to their favourable market prices compared to other meat products.
“Broiler meat production increased by 34 percent from 143 500 million tonnes in 2021 to 191 813 million tonnes in 2022, the highest in recent years,” read the report.
The increase in production is a positive sign for the country’s poultry industry, indicating growth and potential for further development.
“Zimbabwe’s per capita broiler chick production increased by 22 percent from 10, 36 kilogrammes in 2021 to 13 in 2022,” reads part of the report.
Poultry farming is a key sector in Zimbabwe’s agriculture industry with the increase in broiler chick production expected to have a positive impact on the country’s overall economic growth.
The Government has also rolled out support programmes that include the Presidential Poultry Scheme to support the growth of the poultry industry.
This is a Government-led initiative aimed at promoting the production of poultry by small-scale farmers.
According to the assessment report, 367 777 chicks were distributed in 2022 and 159 787 in 2023 through the Presidential Poultry Scheme that saw a total of 527 564 chicks being distributed countrywide.
Under the scheme, small-scale farmers were provided with day-old chicks, feed and training in poultry management.
The scheme is designed to provide small-scale farmers with a reliable source of income while also increasing the availability of chicken meat in the country.
Livestock and Meat Advisory Council of Zimbabwe (LMAC) administrator Dr Chrispen Sukume said the increase in day-old chicks’ production was due to the rising demand for meat in the country.
“To meet the growing demand for poultry meat, farmers in Zimbabwe have increased their production of day-old chicks,” he said.
Dr Sukume further stated that the country’s poultry industry was currently doing well with farmers increasing production of poultry products to meet the growing demand.
“The industry has played a significant role in country’s agriculture sector, contributing to food security and economic growth,” he said.
Online Reporter