December 12, 2006

Malawi earmarks US$1.9 million to kickstart poultry farming

Following a shortage in foreign poultry supplies following bird flu, Malawi has decided to breathe life into its own poultry industry in the face of growing demand.

The Development of Malawian Enterprises Trust (Demat), powered by a US$1.9 million grant from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, would train and finance 2,000 poultry farmers over the next three years.

The training would be carried out under the Broiler and Layer Management Project.

The organization will also construct poultry farms and feed production facilities to kickstart the industry.

The government believes the project would offer farmers hands on experience on how to profitably run the poultry business, help them access credit and link them to market players.

Farmers will only access loans after the training.

There is great demand for poultry products in Malawi, especially now that major producers have been hit by bird flu. The import suspension effected by the Malawi Government has also increased local demand, said a government official.