Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa recently in Marondera
Small-scale farmers in Marondera received practical skills to reduce losses and improve profitability in poultry production during a training session led by Fivet Animal Health specialists last Saturday.
The programme, which focused on broilers, layers and road runners, highlighted disease prevention, mortality reduction and uniform growth as key pillars for sustainable farming.
Speaking to Zimpapers, vice monogastric lead at Fivet Animal Health headquarters, Dr Design Kamuto, emphasised that the training was designed to help farmers meet industry benchmarks such as maintaining mortality rates.
He highlighted that the target was to maintain mortality rates below 5 percent and achieve uniform target weights across flocks.
“We want farmers to understand that profitability is not just about selling birds, but about managing them well from placement to market,” he said.
“Farmers were also guided on vaccination schedules to curb common diseases like newcastle and infectious bronchitis, ensuring healthier flocks and consistent income.”
Dr Kamuto said the training was not only about technical advice but also about instilling management practices that help farmers achieve consistency in flock performance and profitability.
“Our role is to partner with farmers by teaching them standard management practices that make poultry production sustainable,” he said.
“If 80 percent of your broilers reach the same target weight, then you are assured of profitability. Uniformity is just as important as mortality control.”
Fivet Masvingo branch flockmaster advisor, Ms Tapiwanashe Kaifa, emphasised that the flockmaster App guides farmers through every stage of poultry production.
She indicated from chick placement to profit calculation, ensuring they follow best practices for maximum returns.
“We take farmers through the whole process, even before the chicks arrive, so that they know exactly what to do to achieve profitability,” said Ms Kaifa.
“Our application allows us to quantify and measure everything in terms of dollars, helping farmers see the profit they can make if they follow proper management procedures.”
A small-scale poultry farmer in Marondera, Mr Garikai Kurangwa, said the training opened his eyes to the full potential of poultry farming as a pathway to commercial success.
“What is important is to know that chickens can earn you money. If you are looking for avenues to make money, poultry farming is brilliant,” he said.
“I am definitely moving from being a small-scale farmer to a commercial farmer because of what we learnt today.
“The training taught us everything from lighting and watering to feeding and housing structures.”
Another small-scale poultry farmer, Ms Pauline Guveya, said the training emphasised treating poultry farming as a business enterprise rather than simply keeping birds.
“The training is all about poultry, not just about rearing birds, but doing it as a business,” she said.
“We were shown how to manage every stage of production so that our flocks translate into income. It is about seeing poultry as a livelihood, not just a hobby.”
