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Sithandazile Moyo Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Poultry Farmers Association (ZPFA) is anticipating a boom during the festive season and will be able to meet demand for chicken, the chairman, Retired Colonel George Nare, said yesterday.“This festive season I do not think we are going to face any shortage of chicken because the suppliers of day-old chicks have increased their supplies and are meeting the demand,” he said.
Rtd Col Nare said this year they did not experience shortage of day-old chicks compared to last year.
He said the number of poultry farmers has increased which was a positive sign that they would be able to meet the rising demand for chicken.
“The number of poultry farmers has increased with some who had given up on poultry farming coming back into the business and more new farmers taking up the business,” he said.
He applauded banks for financing poultry farmers to start poultry projects as a way of sustaining themselves.
“I want to thank the banks that are giving poultry farmers’ loans of over six months for them to start up poultry business. The poultry market is viable thus farmers are able to pay back the loans in time,” he said.
Rtd Col Nare hailed the public for appreciating locally produced chicken. He said local chicken pricing was fair hence people should not rush to buy imported poultry at the expense of the local produce.
“Our pricing is fair; it ranges from $3,20 to $4,00 per kilogramme which is affordable to almost everyone,” said Rtd Col Nare.
He said many people were also turning to white meat.
“Most people are now resorting to white meat as it is much cheaper compared to beef and is readily available thus we are expecting a boom in the poultry business this festive season,” said Rtd Col Nare.
Online Reporter