Jalawe Women Hatchery: Titukule women’s poultry cooperative
To improve the lives of the people of the marginalized areas of Rumphi, DAMRA has implemented a number of projects that are aimed at addressing issues of pressing need with direct or indirect approaches. The hatchery project for women and children in Jalawe directly elevates financial status of the women and child headed families and indirectly promotes women empowerment and leadership. This project has enabled the women to take a leading role in providing for their families as well as support other vulnerable children such as orphans who are looked after by grandmothers of the community.
Project Location Jalawe Rumphi
Initial Situation No other projects were found working in this direction. The community fondly welcomed the pioneering idea.
Target group A group of 32 grandmothers, 18 single mothers and 5 child headed households hosting orphans and other vulnerable children. These beneficiaries were chosen by the community at a meeting organized by DAMRA. A criteria for selection included items like poor households suffering from perpetual food shortage for reasons related to large family size because of hosting orphans whose parents died out of the HIV and AIDS pandemic, families (households) are headed by females who are aged grandmothers, single women and also where a household is headed by achild. There is currently a total of 48 orphans and other vulnerable children registered in the area aged between 2 and 18 years who will be the indirect beneficiaries of the project and figure is expected to rise in the near future with the current situation of the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
Project Plan The Ministry of Agriculture provided technical support during and after the project period through The Agriculture Extension Development Officer who resides in the area.
The Building Supervisor from the District council provided technical support for the construction of the building for the chicken hatchery that is recruitment of builders and carpenters and supervision and foreman-ship for construction work.
A consultant was hired to install the incubator and solar power generator for the hatchery who also trained beneficiaries on how to run the hatchery (operations of the incubator and solar power generator).
The Animal Husbandry officer from Agriculture department provided training and follow up technical support on the poultry and business management related issues.
The project was developed further by researching and establishing further sustainable markets for chicken hatched from the farm. DAMRA is responsible for developing these marketing and trading systems by incorporating these activities within our core agriculture marketing and trade support programs. One of the ways used so far is taking part in Rumphi Agriculture Trade Fair.
Sustainability The Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) committee for the area were in the initial stages of the project alongside with the Village Development committee dealing with all modalities of community involvement in the project. Later after completion of the project, the executive committee of the women's group(the direct beneficiary group) in close collaboration withthe OVC committee will oversee all issues relating to the use of the poultry hatchery and the farm including mobilizing community for any periodic repairs that may be necessary. This committee is charged with the responsibilities of making referrals for support to DAMRA, the District Council and Ministry agriculture and Food security in areas beyond the scope of the community to handle. DAMRA is continuing monitoring project activities as the project is located within its current impact area.
Project Details Status:Active Project Period:2014 Funding:EGP, Implementing Partners: District Agricultural Office, District Council and Chome Poultry farm