Africa-Press – Eswatini. Agro dealers are set to be among the beneficiaries in a major Broiler Chicken Breeding Farm Project proposed by Swazi Poultry Processors (SPP).
An environmental impact assessment report has already been done in a bid to usher in the multi-million Emalangeni project. It is proposed at Droxford Farm in Ngwenya outside Mbabane. The farm has been leased on long-term from Tibiyo TakaNgwane. SPP has been doing business in the country for a number of years, mainly as a broiler chicken processor at their factory in Matsapha. The company would like to increase production and also diversify into the production of fertilised broiler eggs. The feritilised will be sold to existing broiler hatcheries in the country for incubation.
In motivating the project, SPP said it wants to help bring some stability in the market for broiler chickens by providing a reliable supply of broiler eggs and reduce the over-reliance on the South African market. Currently, about 80 per cent of the local market is said to be supplied by South Africa. Any shocks in the neighbouring country’s market affect Eswatini. The project is expected to create at least 25 employment opportunities at operation phase. The proponent also entered into a training programme with the University of Eswatini. The training will be open to the graduates who aspire to venture into poultry farming. The project is likely to have substantial contributions to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Local suppliers of poultry feed and other inputs will also are expected to be benefit because the proposed project is going to source inputs locally.
It is stressed that the project will bring stability in the supply chain for broiler chickens in the country, resulting in stable consumer prices. Currently, there are occasional disturbances in the supply chicken of broiler chickens caused by external factors such as disease outbreaks. The project development will have two distinct phases – the planning/construction as well as the operational phase. Interested parties who may still have concerns on the project have up until April 25 to register their concerns, through Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA). Once the loose ends have been tied up, a certificate will be issued by the environment authority to give a green light to the project. Indications are that it might be ushered in by the first half of this year.
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