By ZBC Reporter
GOVERNMENT is targeting increased local poultry production by mobilising funds and technical expertise following a fifty percent surge in demand for poultry products which has seen firms struggling to sustain requirements by industry and households.
Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Anxious Masuka this Saturday toured the country’s leading chicken and egg producer, Irvine’s Zimbabwe.
The company’s chief executive officer Mr David Irvine said the poultry industry is overwhelmed by a rise in the demand for day old chicks, eggs, broilers and layers
“There is an upsurge in the demand for commodities, therefore it is becomingly emerging as a key challenge,” he said.
The firm’s commercial director Mr Anele Zunga says more than ten million United States dollars is required to sustain the current gap between supply and demand.
“There is a shortage of some commodities so we need to scale up more to meet consumption,” he said.
In his response to submissions by the company’s directors, Dr Masuka said government is committed to working with the poultry sector to address current challenges.
“It is our vision to work with those who want to engage us so that we can really tap into the domestic markets,” he said.
Minister Masuka was also shown corporate social responsibility policies by the company, including availing of clinics, schools and housing for workers as well as support programmes to local charity organisations.
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