24 Aug 2021

The establishment of Nata Billionaires Farmers Association has helped to ensure constant  supply of eggs in the central north of the country.

The association chairperson Mr Kadimo Motsokono said the association, formed by a group of 13 poultry farmers in Nata came into existence after it emerged that eggs were in high demand at Tutume Sub-district Council primary schools.

He said the farmers took advantage of the gap in the market and approached the sub-district council which agreed to their proposal. 

He said their supply started with two primary schools in Nata before extending to Sepako, Maposa and Manxotae primary schools.

“We aim to supply the whole of the northern region because we are the only poultry association in Nata,” he said. 

 Mr Motsokono also explained that forming an association was motivated by the fact that associations had more benefits both from government and financiers such as banks.

 He said one of the benefits was that as a group or association, they could easily network with each other to improve their business.

“With an association, we can also grow personally and professionally because most of us have gone through various training in poultry production, “he added. 

 He further indicated that government encouraged associations and was always willing to assist where possible. 

 He said the association had submitted its name for registration with Agribusiness.

 “We have also submitted our constitution and progress report for finalisation in Serowe for consideration and approval,” added Mr Motsokono.

 He explained that COVID-19 had had a negative impact on the project whose aim was to supply the whole of the region in a year.

 Mr Motsokono further indicated that to get the project off the ground, each individual contributed P6 000, adding that so far the 1 000 layers they bought had been able to give them 997 Hy-Line Brown silver layers, which has been described as the world’s most prolific egg layer. 

 He added that each individual contributed P5 000 towards the purchase of cages.

 Mr Motsokono explained that their main challenge was lack of finance to boost the project as they wanted to buy more layers to fill another chicken kraal. 

 He said Hy-Line Brown layers were very expensive to keep as they needed a lot of chicken feed before they could start laying eggs. 

 He explained that the intention was to own a plot even though that would take a longer time due to delay in land allocation, adding that because of the monthly rentals they had to dig deep into their pockets. 

 He said the association had also realised the need to diversify its target market to fill the gap to ensure a continuous supply when primary schools were closed.  

 He said another challenge was electricity connection even though there were hopes that they would be connected to the grid soon.

Principal cooperative officer with the Serowe based Agrobusiness Ms Boikhutso Kehemetswe said the association’s constitution had been approved. ENDS