Generating Income From Poultry Rearing

“You don’t build a business, you build the people, then people build the business.” Zig Ziglar

In June, Impact Network facilitated a 5-day Financial Education workshop in 5 villages reaching 345 women, comprising of both NetGirls players and community women. After the completion of the Financial Education workshop, several groups submitted proposals for a poultry income generating project.

A group of 8 women from Luangwa Village was chosen to proceed because their proposal was the best overall. The project structure was that Impact Network would provide the women with capital to start a poultry business with 50 chicks. The group would conduct 2 cycles of this project after which, they would refund the initial capital and continue on their own with either the chicken business or another business using the profits gained.

In the 1st cycle, the group was provided with chicken-raising essentials and 50 chicks, worth K3003 or about $140. During this cycle the group experienced 3 deaths, which brought the number of fully-grown chickens 47 in the sixth and final week. The chickens were sold for K100 each (except for the smallest ones that were discounted) so their total sales amounted K4660.

Two weeks later, the group reinvested their earnings into a 2nd cycle of chicks, this time purchasing 70. They chose to change the breed of chicks to one that has higher survival rates, and in fact all of them did survive this time! Each live chicken was again sold, and the total income from this second cycle was K6800.  After the cycle is complete, K3003 will be given back to Impact Network and the women will remain with K3797 to share amongst the group!

The group plans to use the money to start a village banking group which will be used to keep their money safe and growing while they focus on the current farming season. They intend to restart the poultry business next year February. We are proud of the 8 women and wish them luck as they continue on their journey to financial freedom! The K3003 that was returned to Impact Network will continue to benefit women in our area, as the financial education and income generation project it taken to other communities.

Really exciting to see the progress on this project, Busiwa and Elida!