Banhire Tapfumaneyi Vivian in Harare
Zimbabwe’s free-range poultry sector has just gotten a major boost. The country recently hosted a groundbreaking four-day workshop aimed at formalizing and standardizing the industry. The Write Workshop, held at Manna Resorts on the outskirts of Harare from August 3rd to 6th, 2025, brought together 40 key stakeholders to develop a National Free Range Poultry Production Manual.
A Collaborative Effort
The workshop was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, and the Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association (ZFRPA). Dr. Aaron Golden Shamu, Chairman of ZFRPA, emphasized the sector’s rapid growth and potential, particularly for smallholder farmers. “A well-developed free range poultry manual will guide production, ensure quality, and promote sustainable practices across the country and beyond,” he noted.
Key Takeaways
- Standardization: The workshop builds on the launch of the ZWS 1055 Code of Good Agricultural Practice in Free Range Poultry Production in 2022, developed by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) Technical Committee.
- Practical Guide: The new National Free Range Poultry Production Manual aims to translate national standards into a practical, user-friendly guide for farmers, breeders, and extension officers.
- Industry Impact: The manual is expected to improve productivity, ensure compliance with national standards, and foster a more sustainable poultry farming ecosystem .
The Road Ahead
The draft manual will undergo final review and validation processes before its national launch. This milestone marks a significant step towards professionalizing and harmonizing practices within Zimbabwe’s rapidly expanding free-range poultry industry. With the new manual, farmers, extension officers, policy-makers, and value chain actors will have a unified reference point, paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable industry .