ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe’s Presidential Rural Poultry Scheme, which falls under the Livestock Growth Plan (2021-2025) has farmers experiencing significant benefits from supplying eggs and poultry.
Aimed at reaching three million households nationwide, the initiative aims to commercialize rural poultry production and boost rural incomes while enhancing access to protein-rich food sources.
Various chicken breeds, including Boschveld, Sasso, Kuroiler, and indigenous varieties, have been distributed across different provinces.
Statistics from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development indicate that 1.5 million birds have been distributed countrywide.
This includes substantial distributions such as 200,000 chicks in Manicaland, 124,000 in Mashonaland Central, and similar numbers in other regions.
The scheme is strategically designed to uplift rural livelihoods, enhance national food security, and stimulate a thriving poultry industry.
By targeting primarily rural households, where access to protein sources can be challenging, the initiative provides chicks, particularly indigenous breeds like road-runner hens, empowering families to raise poultry for personal consumption.
This initiative supports a more nutritious diet, particularly beneficial for children who benefit from the protein and essential vitamins found in eggs and chicken.
The potential for income generation is evident, with road-runner hens priced at US$6-7 and cocks at US$10 each.
This additional income not only helps alleviate poverty but also enables families to invest in education, healthcare, and other essential needs.
Furthermore, increased poultry production contributes significantly to national food security by boosting the availability of eggs and chicken meat, thereby addressing potential protein shortages in urban areas.
Beyond individual farmers, the scheme catalyzes broader economic impact by spurring the development of necessary infrastructure.
This includes the establishment of hatcheries for chick production, efficient transportation networks for bird and egg distribution, and cold storage facilities to ensure quality.
Such developments create new economic opportunities, stimulate job creation, particularly in rural areas, and foster overall economic growth.
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