“Since I started working with ABUSOL in August 2024, things have never been the same. My eyes were opened, and I started thinking outside the box. Beyond the training, regular coaching, and monitoring, I had the privilege of attending the Africa Food System Summit. That experience inspired me to dream bigger than I ever did before,” says Onesphore Mutsinzi, reflecting on his journey to becoming a successful poultry farmer.
At just 30 years old, Onesphore Mutsinzi was facing considerable challenges with his poultry farming venture. He lived in the rural heartland of Matimba Sector in Nyagatare District, Eastern Province, and managed a flock of 450 Sasso pullets. However, despite his passion and hard work, his farming practices lacked the necessary technical knowledge. Without proper housing, nutrition, and disease management, his chickens were suffering.
Before joining the YEFFA Program, Onesphore’s poultry farm was plagued by several challenges:
- High Mortality Rate: Frequent disease outbreaks led to a mortality rate of around 20%, causing significant losses.
- Poor Feed Management: Ineffective feeding practices led to malnutrition and stunted growth in his flock.
- Substandard Housing: The poultry house was overcrowded, poorly ventilated, and lacked the necessary space for the birds to thrive.
- Lack of Record-Keeping: Without a systematic approach to tracking production, expenses, and profits, Onesphore struggled to make informed business decisions.
Despite his efforts, Onesphore’s poultry farm was far from thriving. He knew that something had to change. That’s when he made a pivotal decision: enrolling in the YEFFA Program, a life-changing step that would provide him with the support and knowledge he needed to turn his business around.
A Turning Point: The YEFFA Program’s Impact
The YEFFA Program, a 5-year initiative supported by AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation, provided Onesphore with a transformative opportunity. Through ABUSOL Ltd., the program delivered in-depth technical training, mentorship, and business support. Reflecting on his transformation, Onesphore shares:
“Before the training, I was managing everything by trial and error. I was losing birds, and I struggled to understand the essential principles of poultry farming. But after the training, I learned the science behind it all, and I immediately began seeing the results.”
The YEFFA program covered key aspects of poultry farming, equipping Onesphore with the knowledge he needed to thrive:
- Poultry Housing: Guidance on constructing a spacious, well-ventilated poultry house that promotes bird comfort, reduces stress, and boosts productivity.
- Feed Management: Strategies for managing and distributing feed to ensure optimal nutrition, reduce costs, and improve the birds’ health.
- Disease Prevention: Insights into identifying and preventing common poultry diseases, safeguarding his flock against potential losses.
- Record-Keeping: Establishing a systematic approach to track production, expenses, and profits, empowering Onesphore to make informed business decisions for the future.
Transforming the Farm: Key Improvements
Armed with this new knowledge, Onesphore set about transforming his poultry farm. The improvements he implemented led to a remarkable turnaround:
- Flock Expansion: Onesphore grew his flock from 450 to an impressive 2,000 pullets. This expansion dramatically increased his farm’s productivity and profitability.
- Improved Housing: He rebuilt his poultry house using best practices, ensuring it was spacious and well-ventilated. The new setup created a healthier environment for the chickens, reducing stress and promoting better growth.
- Increased Egg Production: With optimized feed management and disease prevention strategies, Onesphore’s egg production skyrocketed. His healthier, more productive flock is now providing a steady stream of eggs.
- Reduced Mortality Rate: Thanks to improved biosecurity and disease management practices, the mortality rate plummeted from 20% to less than 5%.
- Efficient Feed Distribution: Onesphore learned precise feeding techniques, reducing feed waste and lowering costs while enhancing the health and growth of his chickens.
- Record-Keeping: For the first time, Onesphore has implemented a reliable system for tracking his production, expenses, and revenues, which has allowed him to manage his farm more efficiently and plan for the future.
“I’ve always been passionate about farming,” says Onesphore. “But I never realized how much I was missing until I received the proper training. Today, I understand the importance of good nutrition, proper housing, and the right management practices. It’s like I’ve opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.”
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Growth
While Onesphore’s poultry farm has only recently begun to thrive, his vision for the future is ambitious and full of promise:
- Business Expansion: Onesphore plans to expand his flock to 4,000 pullets, using higher-yielding breeds to increase productivity and profitability even further.
- Local Training Center: Inspired by the training he received, Onesphore envisions establishing a local training center to teach other young people in his community the skills they need to run successful poultry farms. “I want to teach the youth in my area how to run successful poultry farms,” he says. “I’ve learned so much, and I believe I can help others avoid the same mistakes I made.”
- Job Creation: As his business expands, Onesphore intends to hire local youth, contributing to the creation of sustainable jobs in alignment with Rwanda’s National Transformation Strategy (NST2). The strategy aims to generate 250,000 jobs annually from 2024 to 2029. “I want to create a ripple effect. If my farm grows, it will create employment opportunities for others, and together we can contribute to the economic growth of our country.”
Impact of YEFFA: Transforming Futures
Onesphore’s journey is not just an individual success story; it is a reflection of the broader impact of the YEFFA Program, which is driving youth-led agricultural transformation across Rwanda. The key outcomes of the program include:
- Increased Productivity: Through improved farm management, Onesphore has seen a healthier, more productive flock, setting his business up for long-term success.
- Sustainability: By implementing better record-keeping, disease management, and feed practices, Onesphore has positioned his farm on the path to sustainability.
- Empowerment of Youth: The YEFFA Program is not only transforming Onesphore’s business but also empowering him to pass on his knowledge to other young people in his community, creating a ripple effect.
- Job Creation: With plans for expansion, Onesphore’s farm will help create local jobs, in line with Rwanda’s National Transformation Strategy (NST2).
I will also focus on sourcing quality chicks—this is a key factor in increasing production and ensuring long-term success
Onesphore’s Words of Inspiration
Looking back on his remarkable journey, Onesphore is filled with gratitude and optimism. “I never imagined I would come this far in such a short time,” he says. “The YEFFA Program has not just changed my farm; it has changed my life. I’ve learned to manage my farm like a business, and now I have the tools and knowledge to grow and succeed.”
Onesphore’s story is a powerful testament to the impact of youth entrepreneurship, technical training, and business support in driving real change. His success proves that when young people are given the right tools and resources, they can not only transform their own lives but also uplift their communities.
“I want to be a role model for the youth in my area,” he says. “If I can make this work, so can they. Together, we can make a difference in Rwanda’s agricultural sector.”
He continues, “I plan to set up a small plant to process animal feed. This will not only benefit my farm but also help my neighbors. I will also focus on sourcing quality chicks—this is a key factor in increasing production and ensuring long-term success.
About YEFFA Program
The Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) program is a 5-year initiative supported by AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation. It is designed to accelerate youth entrepreneurship in agriculture by providing technical training, business support, and market linkages. YEFFA helps young farmers like Onesphore build sustainable, profitable businesses that contribute to Rwanda’s economic development.
About ABUSOL Ltd
ABUSOL Ltd. is a key partner in the YEFFA Program, providing technical training, mentorship, and business development services to young farmers. ABUSOL is dedicated to empowering youth and building their capacity to succeed in agriculture, ultimately contributing to Rwanda’s sustainable economic growth. END