Load shedding disrupts Zambian poultry industry operations

ZAMBIA – The Poultry Association of Zambia is currently highlighting the severe negative impact load shedding is having on the poultry industry’s production and business activities. 

In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Dominic Chanda, the Association’s Executive Manager, explains how the power outages are forcing many small-scale farmers to reduce production or shut down operations due to escalating costs

Chanda stresses the vital role electricity plays in poultry farming, comparing it to blood in the human body.

He notes that some small-scale farmers, who rely on electricity for incubation and lighting, are finding it increasingly difficult to continue these services because alternative energy sources are prohibitively expensive.

The load shedding is causing production costs to rise across all levels of the poultry supply chain.

“Electricity is like blood to the human body, so any disruption has a negative effect. Some farmers have to scale down production due to prolonged power outages, while others are shutting down completely,” Chanda says.

He adds that small-scale farmers using electricity for incubation cannot continue their services if they cannot afford alternative energy.

For poultry producers, electricity is essential for both heating and lighting.

While natural light can replace artificial lighting during the day, heating remains a significant challenge.

Farmers are resorting to expensive alternatives like charcoal, briquettes, or coal, which drive up production costs.

“Depending on their position in the supply chain, whether they are hatcheries, processors, feed millers, or farmers, the lack of electricity impacts their planning and supply capacity,” Chanda explains.

Furthermore, Chanda points out that some ventures might not be able to take on products from the poultry supply chain due to their inability to store them without reliable power.

This issue affects overall market capacity, particularly from the consumer perspective.

The ongoing load shedding crisis underscores the urgent need for a stable and affordable electricity supply to support the sustainability of Zambia’s poultry industry.

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