Abstract:
Small-scale broiler farming has become one of the fastest-growing subsectors
in Zimbabwe. However, the profitability levels of these small ventures have
been questioned due to the rising production costs owing to the highly inflationary
macroeconomic environment. Using a sample of 110 small-scale broiler producers
selected using the exponential non-discriminative snowballing sampling method,
the paper analysed the factors affecting these farmers’ profitability. Gross margin
analysis and quantile regression were used to analyse the data. We found that,
although feed costs constituted 56.8% of the total variable costs, small-scale broiler
production is a profitable venture in the area with a mean gross margin of US$
65.25 per batch of 100 broilers and a return per dollar variable costs invested of $
1.15. Training on broiler production, farming experience, level of education, access
to extension services, access to credit and household size significantly determine
the profitability of the broiler enterprise at various quantiles, with only training
affecting profitability at all three quantiles. All these factors are essential contributing factors to the profitability or lack thereof of small-scale broiler production
in Mutare district. We recommend that training programs on effective
broiler production be offered to small-scale farmers in the Mutare district. The
government and non-governmental organisations should also develop small loan
packages that can assist the farmers in improving their production levels and
profits. Government extension workers should be more visible and accessible to the
farmers in peri-urban areas to positively influence their profitability levels.
