From Small Steps to Big Strides: The Journey of Mwangaza Poultry CBO
In the heart of Manhattan, Mwala Sub-County, you will meet Mwangaza Poultry Community-Based Organization (CBO). Founded with the mission to transform local poultry farming, the CBO has grown into a beacon of hope and success, thanks to the dedicated efforts of its 32 members and the transformative support from Hand in Hand Eastern Africa (HIHEA).
After conducting a participatory rural appraisal, the group members decided to promote the poultry value chain, specializing in egg production, chick hatching, selling, and brooding. The members underwent comprehensive training through HIHEA modules, which equipped them with essential skills in leadership, financial planning, budgeting, and value addition, particularly in feed formulation. These trainings have not only enhanced their poultry enterprises but have also empowered them to start other ventures such as shops, pig rearing, and cereals farming.
The CBO’s poultry business has thrived, thanks to interventions in feed formulation and support from HIHEA. They benefited from a solar backup system to power their 2,112-egg capacity incubator. With this support, the group hatches 1,500 chicks monthly, selling them to both members and the wider community. Members purchase chicks at a subsidized rate of Ksh 70, while non-members pay Ksh 100.
HIHEA’s linkage facilitated the CBO’s access to loans, enabling members to acquire products like tanks and cash for business enhancement. Through the HIHEA FSD project, members secured loans worth Ksh 2 million from Equity Bank to commercialize their poultry enterprises and purchase feeds.
In response to the growing demand for chicks and eggs, the CBO established a breeding stock with a Ksh 200,000 loan from Equity Bank. They started with 500 birds, and upon maturity, they sold 250 cocks for Ksh 200,000. The remaining stock continues to support the CBO with fertilized eggs for incubation and sale to other farmers and HIHEA CBOs that benefited from the innovation fund. The breeding stock produces five crates of eggs daily, sold at Ksh 20 to other farmers and used in their incubator.
Mwangaza Poultry CBO has established robust committees to oversee its operations. The Executive Committee manages overall activities and links production and marketing efforts. The Production Committee focuses on ensuring quality and quantity in agricultural and poultry activities, providing solutions to production challenges, and offering member support. The Marketing Committee devises strategies to market members’ produce, conducts market surveys, and ensures quality standards are met. These committees, trained by HIHEA, work cohesively to address challenges and leverage economies of scale.
Looking ahead, Mwangaza Poultry CBO aims to:
- Mobilize more members to expand their client base.
- Access market linkages and value addition opportunities for competitive marketing.
- Open an outlet in Masii town to reach wider markets and add value to poultry products.
With the backing of HIHEA, they have not only improved their financial success but have also contributed to the sustainability and growth of the local farming community.
The members of Mwangaza Poultry CBO express their heartfelt gratitude to Hand in Hand Eastern Africa for the unwavering support. Their lives have been transformed through capacity building, infrastructure support, exposure visits, and mentorship. Today, they run sustainable enterprises that bring in substantial income, enabling them to meet daily needs, pay school fees, save, and invest.
With the backing of HIHEA, they have not only improved their financial success but have also contributed to the sustainability and growth of the local farming community.
“Long live Hand in Hand,” echoes the sentiment of the CBO chair, reflecting the profound impact HIHEA has had on this resilient community.