Rwanda’s poultry business is set for a huge boost following the partnership between Government of Rwanda and South Korea to construct a modern hatchery in Rubirizi Kigali.

Dr Theogene Rutagwenda, the Director General of Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority told Business Times that the hatchery will have the capacity to hatch 100,000 eggs per month. Infrastructure and equipment will cost $3 million.

"The main challenge faced by the industry is capacity and infrastructure, and I’m optimistic that with the new and modern hatchery will stop imports,” said Rutagwenda.

The new infrastructure is to be constructed in Rubirizi on about five hectares and that a team from Korea has been in country and hold different talks with RARDA officials to have the project up and running before end of this year.

Government has been importing 2 million eggs per year, to produce between 6,000 and 1,000 chicks per month compared to national demand of 40,000 per month.

"The national hatchery is still very small but demand is also rising but the infrastructure will bridge the national supply deficit of both broilers and layers chicks,” he added.
Also in a similar move to increase production, Tyson Foods-one of the world’s largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, established small hatcheries in Musanze district.

Government also plans to establish hatcheries in other districts, increasing the production four times and catering for the demand.

Between October 2008 and August 2009, the national hatchery produced over 200,000 day-old chicks and about 500,000 eggs.

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