Support poultry farming, govt urged

PROMINENT Matabeleland South poultry farmer Peter Cunningham has challenged government to support poultry projects in the country, which has a very big productive potential.

Cunningham, who is also the director of Sondelani Ranching, says poultry production can be a game-changer for the economy.

Addressing delegates at Shalom Campsite last week, he said talks were in progress with government to acquire more land to revolutionise agriculture and turn Matabeleland green.

Cunningham dismissed the “myth” that Matabeleland is a dry region that cannot sustain itself in terms of food security.

“To say we are in region four or five, and, therefore, there is not enough rainfall to produce food for ourselves is a lie. We can produce more and even export to neighbouring countries. For example, in comparison with Israel, Matabeleland is six times the size of Israel’s population of 3,5 million people.

“Israel’s rainfall is 730mm, and Matabeleland’s rainfall is three times that, yet Matabeleland is food insecure and has been importing food.”

He said he started farming from humble beginnings as a young boy in the 1970s.

“I started with 50-day-old chicks which I kept under my bed. It became a passion and they multiplied until I had a multi-million-dollar agriculture business. We produce 10 million day-old chicks per year on the farm, and we want to double that to 20 million. Talks are in progress with government to acquire more land,” he added.

Cunningham, who is also the chairperson of Ebenezer Training Centre, said they injected US$350 million into the centre to improve agricultural activities.

He said young people needed to know that agriculture was the game-changer in social and economic life.

Hamara head of marketing and public relations manager Clemence Mutanga said the project was able to train over 14 000 people over the years.

“It has brought visible change to families and communities through generation of sustainable income. Another project, Africa Alive, has been launched for young people aged 18 to 28 years who are into poultry community projects and other small business ventures,” Mutanga said.

Lupane Youth Development Trust programmes officer, Zibusiso Moyo, said 50 youths from Lupane were working in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation to train youth in poultry projects at the Shalom Training Centre.

“We realised that Lupane is easily affected by climate change issues, which has resulted in poverty in the area. Youths need hands-on experience and be able to start their own businesses,’’ Moyo said.

Pastor Patson Netha said there were 62 students from different parts of the country at the campsite attending a four-day course.-newsday