Chicken farming empowers women in Nsanje District
Farmers from Tayambapo Chicken Club in group village head (GVH) Mgona, Traditional Authority Tengani in Nsanje District have said chicken farming is improving their livelihoods.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, the group’s chairperson Nsongera Foster said rearing chickens has empowered many women economically.
She said she started rearing chickens after visiting Maputo in Mozambique in 2020 where she was inspired by a woman who rears chicken.
Said Foster: “The woman started rearing 20 chickens but they multiplied. From the proceeds, she bought cars and employed many people on her farm.
“When I returned from Mozambique, we formed a club of 13 women and two men. We contributed two chickens each. The chickens multiplied to 200.”
She said she has since bought cattle, builta decent house and harvested 40 bags of maize.
“The club members also save the money in a village savings and loans group. Last year, I received K500 000 dividends,” said Foster.
Club member Margaret Mpenga said she sold 60 chickens last year and earned K300 000.
“I used the money to pay school fees for my children and buy basic necessities for my family,” she said.
Mpatsa Extension Planning Area development officer Matthews Misomali commended the group for coming up with the initiative to beat poverty.
He said: “As the Ministry of Agriculture, we are proud of you for starting this initiative. Local chicken fetches good money on the market.
“However, you should clean your kraals and ensure they are well ventilated. You should also provide the chickens with good feed and adequate water.”
