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By Joyce Mukucha
In quest to revitalise the agriculture sector and provide sustainable livelihoods to vulnerable poor people in various provinces, government is set to initiate a US$13,5 million free range chicken programme under the Livestock Recovery and Growth Programme, a government official has said.
In an interview with the state media, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, Dr John Basera said under this programme which is expected to be launched by year end, government is initially targeting about 225, 000 households.
Dr Basera said the programme will be a pass on project which they expect to be viral and yield positive results as government is making concerted efforts in enhancing household income and self-sustainance and nutrition as well as improving household livelihoods.
“Each household will be supported by feed and also 10 chicks especially 4-5 weeks old, well vaccinated with all the necessary doses and its going to be a pass on scheme. So after each each cycle of winning, each household will pass on 10 chicks to the next household. We think it will be viral as we try to improve issues around household income as well as issues around household nutrition,” he said.
It has been highlighted that Phase 1 of the free range chicken programme will be targeting households in Masvingo, Matebeleland North, Matebeleland South and Midlands Province.