At least 750 families are set to benefit from a poultry project that will see them raise fast-growing broiler chickens which are highly nutritious, delicious and a great source of protein.  

The Rwf1.5 billion project located in Musanze District is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

It was launched Thursday in Musanze District at a demonstration farm managed by Zamura Feeds Ltd, an animal feed production plant in Musanze, according to a statement.

The launch was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rwanda Agriculture Board and officials from the U.S. Government, among others.

Broiler chickens reach their full size after just over a month, and require remarkably little food to grow. With broiler chickens, farmers can produce meat faster and cheaper than with any other land animal in Rwanda. 

"Our hope is that the farmers that raise these chickens will have more money in their pockets and will be able get more nutritious food for their families and communities,” said Leslie Marbury, the acting USAID Rwanda Mission Director during the launch of the project on Thursday  

The project is a joint private-public partnership between USAID, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, and the Africa Sustainable Agriculture Project Foundation, the family foundation of Donnie Smith, former CEO of Tyson Foods.

The launch event marked the completion of a 10 chicken-coop demonstration farm, and the graduation of the first 26 farmers trained to raise the broiler chickens.