Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
MORE than two million chicks have been distributed across Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces under the Presidential Rural Poultry Scheme (PRPS) since its inception in 2022.
This initiative aims to provide a new revenue stream for families, benefitting communities that typically lack commercial activities after crop harvests.
The programme is set to extend to three million rural households, with statistics from the
Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) indicating that since January this year, beneficiaries from the country’s 10 provinces have so far received 148 000 birds.
About 368 331 birds were distributed in 2022, 808 122 birds in 2023, and 751 408 birds in 2024.
Free-range poultry plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy population and offering an affordable source of protein.
The scheme seeks to increase rural incomes and alleviate poverty by commercialising poultry production.
Traditionally, rural households raised chickens primarily for family consumption, but now they are encouraged to approach poultry farming as a business, which enhances their financial stability while increasing small livestock numbers across Zimbabwe.
The breeds distributed include Boschveld, Australorp, Koekoek, Sasso, Kuroiler and indigenous chickens.
