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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
MORE than 1,2 million chicks have been delivered to around 120 000 beneficiaries of the Presidential Poultry Scheme as it continues to benefit farmers in all 10 provinces.
Besides the chicks, the Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association (ZFRPA) has delivered about 65,000 stress mixes.
The scheme has been expanded from the original 450 000 targeted households to 3 million, basically the entire rural farming population along with urban families with suitable premises, all to be included within another five years.
Each beneficiary receives 10 chicks and 1 stress pack. Some of the beneficiaries have started to enjoy the commercial benefits of the scheme, going beyond household needs, such as selling table eggs, fertilised eggs, meat from excess cocks and manure for gardens.
In the face of the imminent drought, free range poultry will play a significant role as they feed off the range and will help maintain a healthy population since they provide an affordable source of protein.
The poultry scheme is set to increase rural income and alleviate poverty through commercialising rural poultry production.
Rural households used to keep their road runners for meat and eggs to supplement their diet occasionally and rarely for sale. Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association secretary general Mrs Beauty Jiji said distribution of birds is carried out in all provinces and most are now earning a good living through the project.
‘’Besides the direct beneficiaries, ZFRPA has continued to work with contracted supply chain free range poultry farmers who every Tuesday bring in day old chicks and every Sunday some bring in their fertilised eggs for hatching of which chicks which will go into the PPS.
“Livelihoods of these suppliers have also been significantly impacted and evidenced by some expanding their enterprises from 100 laying hens to 500 hens up to 1200 hens and some acquiring land and assets,’’ she said.
Former Zimbabwe National Farmers Union vice president Mr Edward Dune said the initiative was greatly appreciated, adding that it has boosted food security and nutrition especially in rural communities.
“This is a positive step towards alleviating poverty especially to the vulnerable groups and widows who are struggling to make ends meet. We really appreciate this scope as it will help to increase exports and incomes for rural households,” he said.
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Trust president Mrs Depinah Nkomo said: “This scheme has helped a lot. Many people are now earning a living through this initiative, prostitution and robbery cases will be reduced because of this empowerment project.
“To those who have so far received the chicks, a great change and improvement in living conditions is so far seen with most individuals. We, however, appeal to the Government that distribution of the chicks be done in a transparent manner to ensure that all deserving people benefit from the scheme.”
Recently, beneficiaries of the scheme welcomed the initiative saying it comes as a huge benefit to rural communities who do not have any income .
Mrs Martha Mutomeni of Glen View said the project has helped her to grow her business.
“I used to struggle to get buyers for my indigenous chickens but l have taken advantage of the Presidential Rural Poultry Scheme. I used to deliver day-old chicks to the Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association at the Exhibition Park in Harare. I have been supplying chicks since November last year and the business has proved to be viable,” she said.
Mrs Farai Mutazu of Kuwadzana 5 suburb in the capital, who started supplying fertilised eggs last year in October, said the programme was good as it created a ready market for her products.
“I am guaranteed of a market and plan knowing that I will get my money without hassles. I am supplying eggs but will soon be supplying chicks,” she said.
Mr Tom Murecha of Waterfalls said he is grateful to see the Government uplifting people’s standards of living through such programmes.
“This is a wonderful project which the majority partake in to improve their standards of living. I am happy that this programme is found in most parts of the country. We are grateful , this will go a long way in alleviating poverty,” he said.
While the scheme is largely aimed at rural communities, those in urban areas will not be left behind. The Presidential Rural Poultry Scheme falls under the Livestock Growth Plan (2021-2025).
Zimbabwe’s poultry industry is set to be transformed into a big business and will be a key cog of the national economy through the development of hatcheries, transport and logistics business, refrigeration services and much more.
Livestock remains a pivotal sub-sector within the agricultural industry and a key income generating enterprise for the farmer. The project is part of Government’s broader vision of creating a US$8,5 billion agricultural industry by 2025 which dovetails with the Second Republic’s signature vision of having an upper-middle income economy by 2030.
Online Reporter