The Sunday News
Shepias Dube
THE poultry that was exhibited at the Bulawayo Agricultural Show increased by more than 177 percent compared to last year, Sunday Business can reveal.
The show was held concurrently with the 56th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair two weeks ago.
In an interview on Thursday Bulawayo Agricultural Show Society administrative officer Mrs Natalie Adlam said most farmers in the poultry section were exhibiting for the first time.
“The poultry section had a good showing this year with over 100 birds in the Rabbit Hall. This is quite a significant improvement from last year where only 36 birds were exhibited. What is more exciting is that we had a big number of farmers showcasing their birds for the first time,” Mrs Adlam said.
She said the increase in the number of exhibitors was a sign that smallholder farmers had finally embraced the commercialisation of poultry which her organisation seeks to promote.
On display were various types of chicken which included Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Blue Australorps, Frizzle, Broilers and many indigenous breeds.
The Buff Orpington, which originates from the United Kingdom, weighs up to over four kilogrammes and has a market value of about $40 per bird.
Mrs Susan Sibanda, a farmer from Ntabazinduna, also exhibited a rare cross breed of the Buff Orpington and indigenous chicken popularly known as chicken makhaya which weighed more than three kilogrammes.
Mrs Adlam said there was tight competition for the champion cockerel and the champion hen, the two prestigious categories in the poultry section.
“There was tight competition for the best prizes at stake and the champion cockerel was won by Matopos Research Station with their indigenous Isikhova while the champion hen was won by Ms Patricia Tabengwa with the Black Australorps,” she said.
The prizes for the champion cockerel and champion hen were Fivet Hamper and the cleaning materials for hatcheries respectively.
The two also got 100 chicks apiece from Higrow.
Other farmers won more than 700 kilogrammes of feeds courtesy of National Foods and Sunset Milling Company.
Farmers who participated praised stakeholders who chipped in with prizes saying this boosted the morale of exhibitors.
“These prizes give us the zeal and determination to continue participating at the Agricultural Show, we are encouraged indeed,” said Mrs Sibanda who was exhibiting for the first time.
Organisers of the Bulawayo Agricultural Show said they would continue giving farmers the platform to showcase their potential in spite of the financial challenges they were facing.
“We continue to endeavour to maintain the standards of our shows. However the biggest challenge for the society remains that of sponsoring. With the declining economy, most companies are not willing to assist in this sector,” Mrs Adlam said.
