By Benilde Manjaze
Poultry farming has increasingly become a significant activity in Mozambique, contributing to job creation for many young people. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, approximately 80% of the population is engaged in agricultural activities, with chicken farming as a complementary venture. In 2021, Mozambique produced around 135,708 tons of chicken meat, marking a 13% growth. However, despite this progress, many young entrepreneurs face challenges in accessing investments in this sector.
On October 16 and 17, 2024, coinciding with International Rural Women’s Day and World Food Day, two young women from RWA Mozambique participated in a youth seminar in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. The event, focused on developing an inclusive poultry value chain in the SADC region, tackled critical issues such as access to financing, inputs, land, capacity-building opportunities, and poultry market access.
Challenges Facing Youth in Poultry Farming
The seminar highlighted several barriers faced by youth in Mozambique and other African countries:
- Financing Constraints: Poultry farming is often viewed as high-risk by financial institutions. Additionally, there is a lack of specialized banks investing in youth-led poultry initiatives.
- High Production Costs: The elevated costs of quality feed, vaccines, and other essential inputs limit the expansion of poultry farming.
- Land Accessibility: Despite Mozambique’s land laws advocating for equal access regardless of religion or political affiliation, challenges persist in obtaining land and navigating the documentation process for its regularization.
Call for Action
Addressing these barriers requires political commitment and strategic reforms. To advance youth participation and success in poultry farming, the following actions are recommended:
- Establish Dedicated Financing Lines: Create funding opportunities tailored for youth initiatives in poultry farming.
- Implement Equitable Agrarian Policies: Expand reforms to ensure fair access to financial resources and subsidies for young poultry farmers.
- Provide Training and Mentorship: Offer capacity-building programs and mentorship on best practices in poultry farming.
- Develop Inclusive Value Chains: Foster a poultry value chain that is accessible and beneficial to all stakeholders, particularly young entrepreneurs.
By adopting these measures, Mozambique and other African nations can harness the potential of youth to drive growth in the poultry sector, fostering job creation and economic resilience. As the young voices at the forum emphasized, reducing production costs, improving land access, and securing funding are vital to achieving sustainable development in poultry farming.
