Fast-growing Chicken Breed Hits Rwandan Market

RWANDA - Scientists at the Rwanda Agriculture Board have introduced fast-growing and disease resistant breed of chicken.
calendar icon 4 November 2013
clock icon 3 minute read

Introduction of Kroiler chicken could result in drastic reduction in chicken and eggs import bill, The EastAfrcan reports.

Rwanda partly depends on supply from neighbouring countries to feed its growing population. Latest data from the central bank shows that about Rwf2 billion was spent on importation of poultry products last year.

The import bill keeps swelling every year as production of chicken and eggs does not meet the current demand. The national hatchery in Rubirizi has failed to meet the demand as a result of government bureaucracy.

Plans to privatise the facility are ongoing with the hope that the private investor will turn it around.

READ: Rwanda hatches chick plants revival plan

Rongcheng Jinya, a Chinese import and export company, has expressed interest, although the government says its bid is below the reserve price. Lack of more bids has sent the government back to the drawing board. Officials are mulling whether to hand over the facility to the Chinese firm or shelve the process.

“The privatisation unit is negotiating with the sole bidder to adjust its offer for the hatchery,” a top government official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Rwanda Today.

Currently, the country produces 19,531 tonnes of eggs per year, against the target of 38,544 tonnes by 2020.

The head of Rubirizi National Hatchery Landry Ndriko Mayigane, said the kroilers imported from India have been cross bred with local breeds to make them adoptable to local conditions.

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