Mrs Sibusisiwe Madhiye, Agritex District Livestock Specialist, Murombedzi
By Desire Tshuma
The Chinese government has delivered two modern hatcheries and two incubators to the Murombedzi Vocational Centre, reviving a poultry project that now supports more than 50 small‑scale farmers and youth in Zvimba District.
The equipment arrived as part of a three‑year China‑Zimbabwe agricultural cooperation programme aimed at cutting poverty and creating jobs. After setbacks in 2021 caused by vandalism and power failures, the centre was refurbished with eight batteries, a generator and 21 solar panels, restoring reliable energy to the hatcheries.
“The project had stalled, but the Chinese aid team brought new equipment and energy solutions. Now the chick output is viable and the community is smiling and the revival has been a relief,” said Mrs Sibusisiwe Madhiye , Agritex District Livestock Specialist.
Local farmers are already seeing results . Mrs Alma Nharisa from Zvimba West said:
“I bring my eggs here and now have over 300 chicks. The extra nutrition and income let me keep my children in school.”
Mrs Chenai Nyika , Vice‑Chairperson of Hope Cooperative, added that she pulls in roughly US$300 a month from Black Australorp chicken sales.
Mr Zhao Ke , senior Agricultural Expert with China Aid, explained the broader vision.
“We work with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to empower hard‑to‑reach communities. After three years, another Chinese team will take over and the model will be replicated elsewhere, like Shamva Agricultural College.”
The initiative underscores the two countries’ partnership in food security, poverty alleviation, and youth empowerment.