The Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association (ZFPRA) is putting in place mechanisms to ensure production of free range poultry is standardised to meet quality assurance requirements from the production line.
Closely collaborating with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), the move is aimed at ensuring quality end products are attained to satisfy certification needs for free range poultry with the export market in mind.
In an interview with Ziyah News Network, the Secretary General of ZFRPA, Beauty Jiji, said they are holding a series of training workshops so as to achieve uniformity in production standards.
“We are rolling out these farmer trainings across the country where we will share the code of practice which will form the basis for the inspection and certification of free range poultry production.We want the farmers to have an opportunity to learn about the standards and incorporate them in their production,” she said.
The standards being set by the Association in conjuction with SAZ are based on national and international best practice and are meant to lay a foundation for the export of free range poultry.
“The export market requires quality, quantity and consistent supply, the quality has to be based on a certain set national standard, these are also key to be able to satisfy the lucrative niche market of organically produced meat,” added the ZFPRA Secretary General.
ZFRPA is also worried by the proliferation of people who are selling fake free range meat products.It is their hope that the coming in of a set standard and certification of free range products will assist in weeding out such elements.
“We have witnessed a worrying trend where people are selling off layers and broilers as free range. In the near future , we see ourselves working alongside SAZ as the national certifying bodies for free range meat products just like they do in countries like Australia and UK where the products bear endorsement logos of quality assuring organisations of the respective countries,”said Jiji.
As the world grapples with Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) , there is increasing demand for organic food products presenting Zimbabwe free range poultry producers with a huge export market potential that can be easily tapped into. Unlike broilers, free range poultry is less expensive to produce, more resistant to diseases and less labour intensive.
