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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
Thousands of lives are set for a major transformation in three regions – Masvingo, Midlands and Matabeleland – following the launch of a poultry extension services in the areas.
The programme, which is working with 12 000 smallholder poultry farmers in the three provinces, is being funded to the tune of six million Euro.
It seeks to enhance productivity through improved technical extension systems, financing for the production of raw materials, as well as designing innovative solutions to reduce production costs.
The programme, offered by the European Union (EU) through the Inclusive Poultry Value Chain (IPVC) interventions in Zimbabwe, is expected to run for the next three years.
The poultry sector would be hugely revamped courtesy of the programme.
And already, smallholder poultry farmers in Midlands, Matabeleland and Masvingo have welcomed the extension services.
Gweru District Poultry Producers Association chairperson Mr Nhlanhla Nkala said the programme came at the appropriate time when the sector was literally dying.
Mr Dube now hopes that the sector, which was facing death, was set for a major transformation.
“We welcome the intervention of the integrated poultry value chain programme as it has come to revive our sector,” he said. “We now have clusters of poultry producers in our districts and we are receiving technical support and linkages to improve our operations.
“As clusters, we are now able to buy our inputs in bulk and even supply our products as partners.”
Mr Nkala said some farmers had already received inputs to support the cultivation of drought-resistant crops which may be used as raw materials for the production of chicken feed.
“We also have trainings lined-up for the smallholder farmers to learn how to produce chick feeds so that our business becomes sustainable,” he said.
“We believe that is the way to go in the face of the harsh economic climate.”
IPVC business development manager Ms Joyleen Mutasa said the project sought to equip smallholder farmers who produced 60 percent of poultry demands in the market.
“Smallholder farmers produce the bulk of poultry needs in Zimbabwe, hence we cannot ignore the industry,” she said.
“The European Union has injected 6 million Euros to improve the poultry value chain in Zimbabwe over the next three years.”
Ms Mutasa said the project is addressing key issues of competitiveness, profitability, and growth focusing on broiler and layer production.
The primary beneficiaries of the project are established and emerging independent or contracted small and medium poultry producers. The broiler industry has recorded phenomenal growth since 2009 from 18 million chicks per annum to 91 million chicks in 2018.
It is expected that the programme will help reduce the price of chicken on the market.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter