adminSamuel Kadungure Senior Farming Reporter
GOVERNMENT has backtracked and lifted the ban of quail farming that had been prematurely announced last week to pave way for comprehensive study on production and nutritional value of the tiny brown-freckled birds — after a furore from hard-pressed farmers whose livelihoods had drastically improved given the profitability of the business.
Quail farming has become an instant hit with many resource-poor urban and rural farmers as it requires little capital and labour and demand for quail meat and eggs is high amid reports that they are tasty, nutritious and have with medicinal properties.
The spirits of thousands of quail farmers across the country had been dampened after the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri pronounced the immediate ban of selling quail birds and their multiple colour eggs.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri argued that only licenced traders were allowed to sell the birds and those farmers who had already domesticated the quails would continue to keep them for their own consumption and would not be allowed to sell them.
“Those crooks are selling a bird at a high price of $6, lying to people that it will cure their diseases. That is false and people should not be fleeced,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She said quail farming has to be done in a sustainable manner and Government would soon draft a policy framework to regulate the trading and prices of both the birds and eggs.
Myriad inquiries stemming from the confusion prompted the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate Mr Prince Mupazviriho to shed more light on the quail farming industry and allay fears on the market.
Mr Mupazviriho said Government would continue supporting the growth of quail industry as well as the sustainable management of the wildlife.
“There is no need for panic on the market as the ministry is fully behind the commercial production and trade of the birds given the huge benefits in improving the livelihoods of various communities.
“However, the area of concern is the unlawful capture of wild quails which does not promote sustainable conservation,” said Mr Mupazviriho, adding that commercial production of domesticated quails remains under the jurisdiction of the agriculture ministry.
Quail farming started in Japan where scientists are credited for being the first to tame wild quails into domestic birds and it spread to Zimbabwe where the tiny birds are being reared for meat and eggs.
Nutritionists argue that quail eggs are healthier than other poultry eggs as they contain more protein, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, B1 and B2.
First Quail Breeders training and marketing officer Mr David Katuma, whose organisation is on out-growers recruitment drive in Manicaland, said they do not trap quails from the bush, but incubate eggs and sell the chicks to farmers for $1,20.
“We buy eggs, incubate them and sell the chicks. Our operations are purely hinged on an effective quail breeding system that gives us fertile eggs for incubation. We train farmers on the proper management and feeding of the birds so that they can produce fertile eggs.
“We do not trap quails, and I do not think that it is feasible either. To catch these birds one would need to use traps which normally kill these birds before you get there to rescue them alive.
“We do not take the birds from the bush, and we are engaging stakeholders so as to protect out-grower farmers from humiliation through the issuance of certificates and licences,” said Mr Katuma.
Another quail breeder, Mr Anesu Kwaramba, of Victor Chickens, said Government should clarify policy contradictions to instil confidence in the quail industry.
“You cannot catch quail birds from the bush for commercial production, it is impossible. These quails were domesticated by scientists who incubate the eggs and distribute the chicks.
“Our appeal is that Government should set a clear regulatory framework within which quail breeders and farmers can operate. It is not good for a Government that should take care of its people to take positions that discourage other people, in this case the poor, from making money.
“Thousands of quail farmers are making clean money from this business,” said Mr Kwaramba.
Online Reporter