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MBABANE – On 22 January 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, and its partners, hosted a comprehensive broiler production workshop at the Mbabane Library. The event attracted 113 farmers from the Hhohho region, with approximately 60% being youth, showcasing a growing interest among young people in poultry farming.
The workshop’s primary objective was to equip participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills to improve efficiency and profitability in broiler production. The program covered essential aspects of broiler management, including optimal housing, feeding regimes, and health management, which are critical for ensuring rapid growth and high feed conversion ratios.
Key Takeaways from the Workshop:
Housing and Sanitation:
Lungile Khumalo, Poultry Extension Officer from the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of proper housing to shield chicks from adverse weather and maintain a clean environment to prevent disease contamination. Khumalo stated, “Farmers must ensure their poultry houses are well-maintained and hygienic to produce marketable chickens.”
Nutrition and Feeding:
Nathi Dlamini, Technical Advisor at Crane Feeds, provided insights into creating cost-effective and nutritionally balanced diets tailored to the growth stages of broilers.
He highlighted the necessity of purchasing the right feed:
Starter mash (Day 1 to Day 14)
Grower pellets (Day 15 to Day 25)
Finisher pellets (Day 26 until market weight is achieved).
Dlamini also underscored the importance of investing in essential equipment to ensure the success of broiler projects.
Disease Prevention and Biosecurity:
Farmers were guided on strategies to prevent common poultry diseases, implement biosecurity measures, and establish vaccination programs to maintain flock health. Facilitators advised against housing chicks of different age groups in the same poultry house, as this increases the risk of disease contamination.
Marketing and Risk Management:
Participants were encouraged to identify their market before starting production to ensure business continuity. The workshop also addressed potential risks associated with broiler farming and ways to mitigate them.
Access to finance
Lungile Khumalo, Poultry Extension Officer - Hhohho, Ministry of Agriculture
The second day of the workshop will feature discussions on access to finance, facilitated by representatives from Eswatini Bank, the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund (EADF), and FINCLUDE. These institutions will provide insights into tailored funding solutions to help farmers start and expand their broiler production businesses.
Farmers seeking more information on Crane Feeds can visit their offices in Matsapha near Sigodvweni Police Station. With proper guidance, resources, and commitment, broiler production can become a profitable venture for farmers across Eswatini.
The workshop successfully provided farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to embark on or improve their broiler farming projects. By fostering collaboration between the government and private stakeholders, Eswatini’s poultry industry is poised for significant growth.
