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Sydney Mubaiwa in Zaka
Women in Zaka are set to benefit from an indigenous chicken-rearing and breeding project aimed at empowering marginalised communities. The local authority in the area is also being urged to provide land to build a hatchery to accommodate 150 000 birds.

The first group of over 200 beneficiaries have already received training under the project that is being spearheaded by a private organisation, SARU PRO Chickens. SARU PRO Chickens coordinator Mrs Sarah Munemo said beneficiaries received training in commercial egg and day-old chicks production. She said the indigenous chicken-rearing project would expand to benefit more vulnerable communities in Zaka and surrounding areas.

“For this project to be successful, the local authority must play its role by providing land for setting up a hatchery for over 150 000 birds and ZESA must ensure uninterrupted electricity supply,’’ said Mrs Munemo.

‘‘Zinwa must also provide bulk water at affordable rates as poultry production is a big business which can contribute immensely to the county’s economic revival if all support is provided.” Mrs Munemo said an initial group of 200 women had already been trained to breed and rear indigenous chickens in Zaka.

“We came together and identified this project after doing a survey,” she said. “It was found that there were no other producers of indigenous chickens in this area and the country at large. When we checked even in supermarkets during our market research, we discovered that we were embarking on a unique project.’’

Mrs Munemo said the chicken-rearing and breeding project had transformed the lives of many villagers in Zaka, adding that her wish was to see it being replicated in other parts of Masvingo.

“The project is growing to our satisfaction The training we received from the United States before embarking on this project prepared us adequately and we know exactly how to run our venture profitably,” she said.

Mrs Munemo said her organisation’s main goal was to eradicate rising cases of unwanted pregnancies, domestic violence and prostitution, mainly among young rural women faced with poverty.

“Women here are exposed to all forms of exploitation, ranging from human trafficking, sexual slavery and sexually transmitted diseases and other illnesses, We need to uplift lives of women since they have been marginalised for too long.” Mrs Munemo said for the project to succeed, there was need for support from local authorities and other stakeholders.