Online Reporter
Patience Maturure
Agriculture Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association celebrated its 10th anniversary on Thursday, highlighting a decade of advancement in poultry production that has bolstered food security at both household and national levels.
The association has promoted sustainable commercialisation and marketing of free-range poultry products.
Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association (ZFRPA) chief executive Mrs Beauty Jiji said the association’s efforts had impacted various communities, including rural areas, women, pensioners and people living with disabilities.
“The association believes in the power of collaboration and innovation to enhance livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture.
“The celebration marks a significant milestone in the association’s journey and is expected to inspire continued growth and innovation in the free-range poultry sector, contributing to a brighter future and healthier nation,” she said.
The celebration marked a significant milestone in the association’s journey, and it was expected to inspire continued growth and innovation in the free-range poultry sector, contributing to a brighter future and a healthier nation.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the poultry programme was a flagship initiative of the ZFRPA, which is a crucial component of the Government’s Rural Development 8.0 strategy aimed at improving food and nutrition security in rural communities.
“The Presidential programme, which involves distributing 10 chicks, 10 chickens per household, is designed to promote good genetics and improve poultry production in the country.
“The programme had been instrumental in improving household nutrition and income, particularly for rural communities,” he said.
He said the Government was targeting to increase household nutrition, incomes and livelihoods through the programme and was committed to supporting the association’s work in promoting indigenous chicken production.
“The association’s efforts have led to improvements in genetics and standards, with partners such as Capital Foods and Standards Association contributing to the programme’s success,” he said.
ZFRPA chairman Mr Golden Aaron Shamu said ZFRPA was marking a decade of promoting free-range poultry production in Zimbabwe, with a celebration bringing together stakeholders from across the country and beyond.
“The association’s journey began with the simple goal of making free-range poultry a traditional daily dish in Zimbabwe and has grown into a nationally recognised organisation with a significant impact on the country’s agriculture sector.
“The association’s efforts have led to improvements in production standards and it has received support from partners such as Capital Foods, Zimbabwe Prisons Correctional Services and the Zimbabwe Uncultured Standards Board,” he said.
The association’s work has also been recognised by the Government, with President Mnangagwa endorsing the free-range poultry concept through his Presidential Poultry Programme, he said.
The association capped the day’s festivities by awarding outstanding farmers, industry stakeholders and partners who contributed to the growth of the free-range poultry sector.
This also saw the country’s leading media organisation, Zimpapers, getting the award for extensively covering the association as well as the poultry industry, thereby contributing immensely towards its growth.
