With the inauguration of a new hatchery in Musanze district in Northern Province, Rwanda, poultry farmers in the region are looking forward to lower costs and also healthier and more productive chicks.
The hatchery, Easy Hatch, is owned by South African businessman, Themba Mashinini, reports All Africa. Although privately owned, Easy Hatch is set to complement the services offered by the national hatchery run by the Rwanda Agriculture Board.
Officially opened last week, the new facility has a capacity of 20,000 chicks per week – layers and broilers – but it will increase production with market demand.
One poultry farmer in Kanombe said insufficient day-old chicks has been one of the biggest challenges for poultry farmers, adding that chicks brought in from other countries often suffer during the long journey to Rwandan farms.
Another said the new hatchery will help farmers save money they used to pay for imported chicks.
“We carried out research and we found out that there is a big shortage of chicks in the country and also in neighboring countries,” Mashinini told New Times. “As a result, I thought this is the area in which I can make a contribution in terms of producing chicks locally.”
New feed mill in Eastern Province
Recently, a new feed mill was opened in Rwamagana district in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, reported the local newspaper, New Times.
At the inauguration ceremony, State Minister for Agriculture, Tony Nsanganira, urged the country’s business community to invest further in animal feed production in order to increase livestock farming in the region. There are just three feed mills in the country – in the districts of Bugesera, Musanze and Rwamagana.
Soybeans and corn for the feed will be purchased from local farmers at market prices.
Veterinarians based at the factory said appropriate animal feeds will greatly improve productivity of laying hens and pigs.
Generally, farmers have welcomed the new feed mill, but one commented that the prices are too high for most local farmers.
