Established in 2018 – and with 15 permanent employees (including seven women) – Tac Maz Sustainable Ventures focuses on the production and supply of indigenous and dual-purpose chickens, operating in Chiradzulu District. Ms Thokozani Amanda Chimasula (photo) is the owner and Managing Director. With an MBA and over 13 years of experience working in different organizations as a manager and specialist in programme, gender equality and social inclusion, child protection, and development communications, Ms Chimasula is a seasoned consultant, climate action and biodiversity advocate, and an award-winning entrepreneur.

Tac Maz seeks to meet growing demand through setting up an outgrower scheme involving 1,200 smallholder farmers for backward and forward linkages. The company plans to expand its egg incubation capacity from 3,300 to 5,100 and improve its feed production efficiency by procuring a feed miller and pelletizer. It is envisaged that focusing on the indigenous and dual-purpose chicken market will sustainably grow Tac Maz and support smallholder farmers in becoming resilient against the negative effects of climate change, as these birds are more tolerant to climate variations and are reared using less intensive production systems, hence manageable by smallholders. Contact: Facebook

Leveraging the Niche Market for Indigenous and Dual-Purpose Chicken Growing through Low-Cost Improved Feeding

This 12-month project supports Tac Maz to pilot and demonstrate a business model which increases supply and encourages the participation of smallholders in commercial poultry production of indigenous and dual-purpose chickens with minimal input costs using low-cost supplementary feed that is climate friendly and easily accessible, and improves bird quality. Basically, Tac Maz will supply poultry inputs (chicks and supplementary feed) and offtake the grown birds for the end market. With CASA support worth £46,755 in technical assistance (£40,095) and a grant (£4,160), the project is expected to reach 1,200 smallholder farmers, with more than 75% being women, youth and other vulnerable groups).

Tac Maz has an identified and confirmed demand for about 23,400 birds per annum which remains underserved. The company seeks to grow its business by exploiting this underserved demand by investing in increased incubation and feed production capability. This expansion will allow the company to successfully anchor its developing contract farming model that would eventually secure them increased volumes of dual purpose and indigenous chickens. The required commercial finance is designed to unlock this opportunity and afford the company an additional income per year of £14,742 and individual additional income for contracted outgrowers amounting to £78 per year. Taz Maz seeks £39,000 in equity financing for business expansion to include procuring a feed miller, pelletizer, higher capacity incubator capable of handling 1,800 eggs, and a brooder.