Lifeline for massive poultry project

GOVERNMENT has leapt to the defence of a massive poultry project in Nyazura that has been under serious threat following an acrimonious land dispute between the proprietor and a local school, indicating an investment of that magnitude must be protected as it is key to rural industrialisation.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development’s Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri toured the project hosting 10 000 layers that is owned by Mr Simon Mangani, and likened it to an industry creating jobs and improving livelihoods in a rural setting.

“This is the pinnacle and best example of Rural Development 8.0 Model. When we say agriculture has the greatest potential for improving livelihoods through rural developmentand rural industrialisation, this is what we mean.

“What we have seen here is a top notch example of what happens when we develop our rural industries. This is a fully developed poultry and egg production centre which is producing an excess of 4800 eggs per day.

“At full capacity, they produce over 20 000 eggs per day, which is unprecedented in a rural area. When we reach such levels, we would have created industries deep in the rural areas, creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and certainly this is the pinnacle of rural development,” he said.

Turning to the land dispute, Professor Jiri said his ministry, which is the custodian of all State land, will look into the matter with a view to save the project.

“There is a dispute in which a communal land is being disputed as farmland. We will definitelylook at the maps to scrutinisethe demarcation of the farm vis-a-vis where the communal land starts. When you look at an investment such as this one, you would want to look at how genuine the (land) claim is. We will then take it from there,” said Professor Jiri.

The project which started in 2009 with 100 broilers sits on three hectares and the dispute has been dragging before the Manicaland provincial lands committee for years. Currently, there are 10 000 layers at the point of lay.

The project employees 14 permanent and six casual workers from the community – spread across the poultry feed mill, cleaning, feeding, collecting, grading, packing and distribution of eggs.

“Currently there are 10 000 birds at the point of lay. Our structures can hold up to

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40 000 birds. The plan is to leave the layer unit as a stand-alone entity and diversify into broilers, turkey and duck production at a commercial scale,” said Mr Mangani.

But the land dispute is giving him sleepless nights.

“The poultry and egg production centre sits on the boundary with Mavhudzi High School. My parents have been staying here since time immemorial, and some people do not see it as an investment that is fulfilling national objectives. Instead, they want to destroy it; arguing that it encroached into the school’s land.

“That is the challenge that is halting further development and investment into the project.

“There is uncertainty, but you cannot vouch to destroy such an investment,” said Mr Mangani.

Mr Mangani, who relies on third parties for the supply of chicks, has also invested in a hatchery.

Makoni District Development Coordinator, Mr Edwin Mashindi confirmed the land dispute.

“Mr Mangani engaged the school to use the three hectares which are separated by a stream from the rest of the school farm. The land was not being utilised and the school consented to the project as it was expected to benefit their learners practically,” said Mr Mashindi.

Mavhudzi High School is under the armpit of the Zimbabwe Foundation for Education with Production (ZIMFEP).

ZIMFEP official, Cde Simbarashe Chapanduka refused to comment and referred all questions to his superior, Cde Gideon Chiwukira.

Cde Chiwukira was not immediately available for a comment through the given mobile number which was not readily available.

“You need to talk to Cde Chiwukira about that. He is the best person to answer you. Let me get hold of the school head so that she talks to him to call you,” said Cde Chapanduka.

Cde Chiwukira has previously accused Mr Mangani of using the school farmland to operate his business and refusing to pay rentals.