Poultry Farming in Rwanda

Poultry Farming In Rwanda has changed dramatically the lives of people

Market

Nyiransabimana sells most of the birds to local and city supermarkets. A bird that weighs one kilogramme costs Rwf2,000, whereas eggs range from Rwf68-70. each

“We sell most of the birds and eggs to local small supermarkets and restaurants, as well as in neighbourhood market. We also export some of the birds to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” she says.

The birds are sold after making three to four months and weighing about 2kg.

She says though some hotels buy chicken and eggs locally, “most of the times big hotels import chicken meat and eggs”.

“I think they do not believe that local farmers can satisfy their demand. This could change if the poultry farmers association is given more support by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. This can help farmers to increase production and be able to sustain the market demand,” she says.

Income in figures

One bird (layer) produces a minimum of 320 eggs per annum. She sells about 30,000 four-month old birds at Rwf2,000 each, raking in about Rwf60 million per year.

When she has off-layers, she sells at least 2,000 for meat annually at Rwf2500 each, bringing in Rwf5 million.

Achievements

With her husband, the veteran farmer has built a modern house and improved her chicken shelter.

The project has enhanced her financial status and is able to pay fees for her children; two in secondary school and one at university.

Nyiransabimana says she used some of the savings to buy a big piece of land in Rwamagana District, where she grows food and cash crops.

She has been recognised for her efforts and has been awarded several ‘certificates of appreciation’ as a female job-creator.

She has equipped over 500 people from various places in the country with modern poultry keeping skills and techniques, according to a register at her farm. “I sometimes visit their homes and help them start the project.

“Many people have been inspired by my testimony...I use any platform, like agricultural shows and farmer gatherings, to teach people about better ways of rearing birds and how poultry farming can improve the income and living standards,” says Nyiransabimana.

Message

Poultry farming requires someone who is passionate about birds as any other project. So, don’t go into chicken rearing just for the money, advises the model farmer.

Nyiransabimana says, in case of disease outbreak that could leave all the birds dead, farmers should persevere, buy new stock and soldier on.

Citing her experience, she says she at one time lost 1,200 chicks, but picked up the pieces and reorganised the project, which largely contributed to her success today.

“Poultry is an important source of income and can help end economic woes of farmers. I encourage Rwandans to invest in farming, especially poultry,” she says. She adds that one is also able to generate manure for their crops to boost production.

She says the start-up does not require big investment, noting that anyone with some little finances, and passion can start a poultry farming project.

“It is not necessarily about big investment...just start with whatever resources you have and increase capital gradually,” says Nyiransabimana.

Tips

Nyiransabimana says she plans all her expenditure, noting that this helps her to save and reinvest some of the money, as well as pay fees for her children and the family’s health insurance.

“My philosophy is ‘always have good action plans and endeavour to achieve them’. This way, I avoid spending the money on unplanned activities,” she says.

The farmer adds that she also saves some of the money with a local co-operative and bank.