The Sunday News
IT was one December afternoon, characterised by kind of weather that would make many people tire from the heat.
The heat added to the frustration that many felt especially because of the delay of the rains.
It would be Christmas soon and yet the rains had not fallen. It was with relief then that the storm clouds started gathering darkening the skies and promising to nourish the earth with rains.
For Ms Listen Sibanda (47), a villager from Shangani, the rains would be a relief of course but not at the moment as it will ruin her plans. Ms Sibanda had travelled 100 kilometres to Bulawayo that morning to purchase chicken feed for her day-old chick project.
She had specifically travelled for a particular brand of feed called Hamara Feeds which she had heard was available at an agric-shop called Higrow. In spite of the searing heat and the cumbersome task of co-ordinating the logistics of travelling back with 400 kilogrammes of feed, she had told herself that the suffering was worth it.
Now, as she stood waiting for transport with her eight yellow 50-kilogramme bags, she feared the rain might ruin her precious chicken feed if it gets wet. However, as her frustrations were growing, a truck pulled by and a curious man approached her to offer help. The driver, it later turned out, would not have stopped, had he not noticed the yellow bags of Hamara Feeds she had.
It turned out that the driver was a manager of Sondelani Ranching, the manufacturer of Hamara Feeds and parent company of Higrow Stores. The manager was intrigued to learn that Ms Sibanda had travelled such a distance to just buy this particular brand.
It turned out that Ms Sibanda who has been into chicken farming for the last four years learnt about Hamara feeds through a neighbour who is also a fellow chicken farmer. She said her neighbour had told her that to get better results in the business she needed to use Hamara feed.
Fast forward, less than two months into 2016 Ms Sibanda has started realising the results of using the feed.
“I have tried other poultry product suppliers in Zimbabwe and I was not entirely satisfied with the results, but at Higrow I have found what I have been looking for. The chicks grow into big, healthy chickens because Hamara feed must have all the necessary nutrients,” she said.
Ms Sibanda said she will continue to use Hamara feed and she was happy now that she can buy it in Gweru after Higrow opened another branch in the city.
Her story can only testify that it pays to use quality feed.
Higrow is the farming inputs and supplies division of Sondelani Ranching (pvt) Ltd, a Bulawayo-based farming and agro business concern. Higrow sells Hamara day-old chicks and point-of-lays and also Hamara Feeds for Chicken, pig and beef cattle. They stock medication, vaccines and poultry equipment whilst also offering veterinary services and training in the rearing and business of chickens.
You can visit the Higrow team at 47b Fife Street, Bulawayo, or contact the them on 09 882602/3 of visit their facebook page www.facebook.com/HigrowZimbabwe <http://www.facebook.com/HigrowZimbabwe>
