Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MUTASA South legislator, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, has launched a large-scale chicken pass-on project in his constituency, distributing 6 500 chicks and 22 tonnes of stock feed to kick-start the initiative.
The scheme, funded through the Presidential Empowerment Fund allocated to legislators across the province, saw 130 inaugural beneficiaries from the constituency’s 13 party districts receive chicks and feed this week.
Advocate Mugadza, who also serves as Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, presided over the handover.
He emphasised that the project aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of grassroots economic empowerment as part of the drive towards achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
“We are grateful to President Mnangagwa for the empowerment projects he has initiated across the country. From the US$25 000 allocated to Mutasa South Constituency, we opted for broiler rearing projects after wide consultations with stakeholders,” said Advocate Mugadza.
Each of the 13 party districts will benefit, with 10 people per district forming the first group of beneficiaries.
As a pass-on scheme, the project is designed to eventually reach all households in the constituency.
Before receiving their chicks, beneficiaries underwent intensive training provided by the supplier to ensure they acquired the technical know-how necessary for success.
“The chicks’ supplier is also part of the project as technical advisor so that we do not experience high mortality rates. We have already secured market for the chicken once they are ready for slaughter at six weeks. We have many stakeholders in the constituency such as hotels, miners and schools who have committed themselves to buy from the beneficiaries at once. The profit realised will be used to fund the next group of 130 beneficiaries, while the first group remains with the initial capital. There is a monitoring and evaluation team from the MP’s office which will be on the ground assessing progress. This is fulfilling President Mnangagwa’s vision that by 2030 every citizen should be leading an improved lifestyle,” said Advocate Mugadza.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Anet Chiriseri of Ward 11, said they were provided a lifeline to venture into the lucrative chicken business at a large scale, and will strive to work hard so that they do not disappoint their funders.
“This project of rearing chickens will result in us making money for our survival. We are now able to take care of our families and provide for their needs.
‘‘Through this project, we are now actively involved in the economic affairs of our country. We want to thank President Mnangagwa and Honourable Mugadza for providing us with capital to kick-start the project. We promise to work hard and diligently so that it becomes successful and the next beneficiaries take over,” she said.
