IRVINE’S POULTRY DOUBLES OUTPUT
Regional poultry producer, Irvine’s Poultry has expanded its breeder farm to double its production as the local demand for chickens increase, following government’s decision to empower local farmers and reduce food import bill.
Irvine’s Botswana is a Botswana Investment
and Trade Centre (BITC) accredited company which was established in 2001 with the primary aim of supplying COB500 day old broiler chicks, targeting small and large-scale farmers. The company has set up a hatchery in Francistown in 2002 and later established a breeder farm in 2007, with a total employment level of 180 employees.
Irvine’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Craig Irvine said it is their commitment to growing the local poultry and agricultural industry. “We believe if we can grow our customers’ businesses through the supply of top-quality products and training, our business will also grow and this in turn will help grow the businesses that supply with raw materials.”
Irvine’s Botswana produces 18 million day old chicks and 48,000 tons of feed per year of which more than 60 percent goes into the small scale farming sector across Botswana, with the balance going into the commercial sector. The company supports over 5000 poultry farmers in Botswana.
The company invested P56 million in constructing the modern feed mill in Botswana ensuring a reliable supply of high quality feed to both large and small scale poultry producers in Botswana.
“All our investments are done to the highest international standards to ensure good levels of bio-security and the latest international standards in manufacturing practices which enable us to provide all our customers with the quality products,” said Irvine.
It is estimated that in Botswana, the small scale farming sector produces over 11 million chickens per year generating over P678 million in revenue. Irvine highlighted that it is not only the local poultry industry which their investment will support but also the horticulture market. “In the 2022 season, Irvine’s has already procured 9500 tons of maize from BAMB and Botswana Maize farmers.”
Officially opening the farm in Mmamashia, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said Government remains committed to ensuring economic diversification, employment creation and food security, and will do everything in its power to ensure that it supports the private sector through the creation of an enabling environment for business to thrive. “I am happy to note that Irvine’s Botswana does not only focus on the production of chicks and poultry feed, but that they are also involved in imparting skills to Batswana as they have a training centre where they offer free weekly training seminars for all chicken growers, to enable them to run successful poultry businesses.”