Poultry body, SAZ in quality talks

Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association (ZFRPA) has partnered with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) as part of its measures to improve the quality of their poultry produce and meet export market standards. In an interview, ZFRPA secretary-general Mrs Beauty Jiji said her organisation was working towards increasing the export of high quality free-range poultry produce in a bid to ensure better markets for farmers.

“From ZFRPA national level, we have started working to raise standards for free-range poultry products with the Standard Association of Zimbabwe,” she said. “A technical committee has been meeting and working to achieve this.
“We want to ensure that our produces will be competitive on the local and international markets.”

Mrs Jiji said the association’s future plans would include having quality controlled free-range poultry products in all retail outlets and the hospitality industry.

“We are looking forward to exporting free-range products that meet national and international standards,” she said. “Tourists will be comfortable eating quality controlled products hence the standards.

“Without standards, it will be difficult for the product to be accepted internationally. Standardisation will open doors for us to compete with international suppliers on a new level and get the right prices.”
Mrs Jiji said free-range poultry was a good source of income.

“Mostly the indigenous free-range poultry or better known as backyard poultry has been kept at subsistence level without much attention, care and without looking at them as a potential source of income,” said Mrs Jiji.

She said roping in SAZ to work on free-range poultry standards showed the potential of the industry and the seriousness of Government in supporting the development and marketing of the free-range poultry sector in Zimbabwe.