A local agribusiness firm based in Bulawayo, Hamara Group, is currently on a drive to promote the rearing of the Sasso chicken – a dual-purpose chicken breed that can be kept for both meat and eggs.

The Sasso breed is a free range type of chicken originally from France. The bird is cheaper to keep and will go a long way in helping poultry farmers maximise profits whilst reducing production costs. Already the Sasso chicken has taken over Zimbabwe by storm as quite a number of poultry farmers have already adopted the bird largely because of its favourable genetics.

Speaking to the media recently, Hamara’s Group head of marketing and public relations Mr Clarence Mutangara said the company has embarked on an outreach training programme in various parts of the country educating farmers on the benefits of rearing Sasso chickens.



“The Sasso is a bird that is suited for the rough terrain because its a dual-purpose bird, meaning it can produce both meat and eggs and also the genetics of the Sasso makes it a very good scavenger. So its good for free ranging after three to four weeks of feeding you can start free ranging,” said Mr Mutangara.

Mr Mutangara also said that although the Sasso chicken matures after nine to 10 weeks compared to the usual broiler which takes four to five weeks, the cost of production for Sasso birds was far much lesser.

“They take longer to mature but they eventually do at a fraction of the cost because you are no longer feeding them with expensive feed. So, the Sasso bird is one we saw fit in this changing climate when it came to how we can make farmers succeed. We are introducing the Sasso as a way to complement household food security,” said Mr Mutangara.

Through its sister company Sondelani Ranching, Hamara have for the past seven years been involved in broiler outgrower schemes mostly in the Matabeleland province. The company has traditionally been supplying small scale farmers with layers and broilers.

The company however contends that producing layers and broilers is suited when the economic conditions are good and farmers can afford the cost of feed and can recoup the cost of investment quickly. In light of the escalating production costs, especially stockfeed, Hamara is encouraging farmers to adopt the Sasso bird as an alternative so as to ensure food security.



In a report published by the Livestock and Meat Advisory Council recently, the poultry industry recorded a 19% slump in output, producing an average of 70 million day-old chicks in 2019 with industry players citing escalating cost of stockfeed as well as reduction in demand and supply as the main contributing factors.

This has seen a number of feed formulation training programs being conducted by organisations such the Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association and others so as to assist farmers lower their poultry production costs. You can check our Events Calendar for upcoming training programs.

Source: Sunday News, @DNsingo

About Hamara Group:

Hamara Chicks focuses on broiler and layer day old chick production, as well as producing point of lay birds. Located in Umguza, this division focuses on broiler and layer day old chick production, as well as producing point of lay birds.

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