Thulani Ncube, a 56-year-old member of the Bambanani 2 Self-Help Group in Ward 20 of Nkayi District, has had a longstanding passion for chicken farming. However, her previous efforts were primarily focused on subsistence farming, where she produced chickens mainly for her own consumption rather than as a business venture. This limited her ability to explore the full potential of chicken farming as an income-generating activity.

In 2023, Thulani’s situation began to change significantly when she participated in business management training under the Jobs Creation Project (JCP) supported by Hand in Hand Zimbabwe. This program is designed to empower individuals and groups with the skills and knowledge necessary to start and grow their own businesses. Through this training, Thulani gained valuable insights into effective business practices and was encouraged to pursue her interest in chicken farming more seriously.

HIH Zim assisted Thulani identify and acquire better chicken breeds. With access to Income Saving and Lending Groups (ISALs) and her own savings, she was able to invest in Sasso Sussex chickens, which are known for their good meat quality and egg production capabilities. This strategic decision marked a turning point for Thulani’s chicken farming endeavours. Currently she holds,18 Sasso Sussex and 20 indigenous chickens.

Today, Thulani operates a successful poultry business where she produces both free-range chickens and improved indigenous chickens for meat and eggs. Her monthly output includes at least 18 crates of eggs, which she sells at USD 4.00 per crate.

This results in a monthly income of approximately USD 72.00 from egg sales alone. Additionally, she has diversified her business by selling indigenous chickens, further enhancing her income streams. In the previous month ,she managed to sell 30 indigenous chickens at $6 each giving her a total cash sale of $180.

“Selling eggs and chickens has empowered me as a women. I never thought that this business would sustain my livelihood.I thank Hand in Hand Zimbabwe for training us in how to start a business and managing it. The unwavering support has uplifted us women in our community”, said Thulani.

By leveraging training opportunities and financial resources effectively, she has successfully transitioned from subsistence farming to running a profitable poultry business.