Chronicle Editor
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
ONE of the country’s biggest agribusiness firms, Hamara Group is working on promoting the breeding of a dual-purpose chicken, Sasso as part of its efforts to ensure poultry producers generate substantial revenue through minimising their cost of production.
Hamara Group head of marketing and public relations Mr Clarence Mutangara said the company has embarked on an outreach training programme in various parts of the country sensitising farmers on the advantages of rearing Sasso chickens.
Sasso chickens are native chickens of France and are becoming popular among big and small raisers.
The Sasso chicken is preferred by more than 30 countries around the world because of its high adaptability to hot humid conditions, good disease resistance and good meat quality.
“The Sasso is a bird that is suited for the rough terrain because it’s a dual-purpose bird, meaning it can produce both meat and eggs and also the genetics of the Sasso makes it a very good scavenger. So, it’s good for free ranging after three to four weeks of feeding you can start free ranging,” said Mr Mutangara.
He said although the Sasso chicken matures after nine to 10 weeks compared to the usual broiler, which takes four to five weeks their cost of production was far much lesser than the latter.
“They take longer to mature . . . but they eventually do, at a fraction of the cost because you are no longer feeding them with expensive feed. So, the Sasso bird is one we saw fit in this changing climate when it came to how we can make farmers succeed. We are introducing the Sasso as a way to compliment household food security,” said Mr Mutangara.
Hamara through its sister company Sondelani Ranching have for the past seven years been involved in broiler outgrower scheme covering over 350 villagers in Matobo’s impoverished villages.
“Our traditional offerings in terms of inputs for small-scale farmers has been the broiler and layer. Broiler is a single purpose bird it produces meat and layer produces eggs,” said Mr Mutangara.
He however, added that broilers are ideal when the economic environment is conducive to the creation and growth or transformation of enterprises on a sustainable basis.
“When conditions are okay and farmers can afford the feed and it’s not too expensive and the economy is doing well, with one getting a good return on their product and quick turn over for their investment that’s an ideal situation and for that we recommend the Ross broiler or the Hy-Line layer. But when the economy is a bit rough, the (exchange) rates are running away, there is a bit of inflation and prices are rising all the time and there is a bit of uncertainty . . . that’s when the Sasso comes in,” said Mutangara.
@DNsingo
Bongani Ndlovu
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