African Farming Digital Editor Maile Matsimela caught up with egg producers Bongi Angel Mbatha and Jimmy Bhila at the recent AgricultSURE Small Scale Farmer Expo held at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga.
The couple proudly exhibited their impressive egg production operation that has become a cornerstone of success in the Steenbok area of Mpumalanga.
Bongi Angel Mbatha, the sole director of Huku Poultry Farm, has been involved in the management of various businesses for the past 17 years and has developed her management skills to such an extent that she decided to start her own companies. She and Jimmy Bhila form a well-balanced team that feeds off each other’s experience and skills. Bhila takes care of the operations and oversees the general management of the company. He has overseen various other companies and has a wealth of business experience.
Their farming journey began in 2019 when they established Huku Poultry Farm on a 6ha communal property at the Steenbok Project in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga. Initially they focused on broiler production but demonstrated remarkable business acumen when they recognised a critical market shift that would define their future success.
By 2020, the local broiler market had become oversaturated, with numerous farmers competing for the same customer base. Rather than struggling against the tide, the couple made a strategic decision that would set them apart from their peers. They identified a growing demand for eggs coupled with limited competition in their area, prompting them to pivot their entire operation towards layer chicken production.
The transition involved introducing day-old Hy-Line brown and white chicks to their farm, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most successful egg production operations in the region.
After the egg production commenced, a supplier agreement was entered into with one of the local wholesalers in the Nkomazi area, and the eggs were sold and supplied under the company name Huku. The Huku brand soon expanded into the local animal feed market as Huku Animal Feeds. Bhila says the idea of mixing their own feed came about when he realised they needed to minimise inputs. “Local people who buy point-of-lay hens from us started enquiring about feed as well, and that is how we decided to also sell our feed under our brand.”
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Building Impressive Production Capacity
Today, Huku Poultry Farm houses about 18 000-layer chickens, though the couple is quick to explain that not all birds are currently in production. “We have different batches at various stages,” explains Mbatha. “Some of our layers are still in the growing phase, which is why we’re producing about 12 000 eggs daily rather than our full potential. The younger birds will join production soon, and we expect our daily output to increase significantly.” The setup features an impressive 24 000-capacity chicken cage system that the couple acquired second-hand from a farm that had ceased operations.
A Diversified Agricultural Enterprise
Although eggs have become their primary focus and main revenue driver, the couple operates a truly diversified agricultural enterprise that demonstrates the interconnected nature of sustainable farming. Their operation extends beyond poultry to include pig farming, continued broiler production on a smaller scale, maize cultivation and vegetable farming.
The maize cultivation serves a dual purpose, providing supplemental feed for their pigs and layer hens and reducing overall feed costs. This integration exemplifies smart farming practices where different commodities support one another. The vegetable farming, though currently small-scale because of water limitations, adds another dimension to their agricultural portfolio.
Although their broiler operation is scaled back from their original focus, it continues to contribute to their income stream and provides diversification that helps manage risk. This multifaceted approach ensures that the farm remains productive and profitable even if one sector faces challenges.
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Overcoming Significant Infrastructure Challenges
The couple’s success story becomes even more remarkable when one considers the significant infrastructure challenges they’ve overcome. Their farm operates entirely without electricity supply, relying instead on a combination of generators and solar power systems.
This lack of electricity leads to water shortages, which present another ongoing challenge that limits their ability to expand vegetable production.
Perhaps most impressively, the entire operation has been self-funded. From the initial broiler setup through the transition to layers and the acquisition of the substantial cage system, Mbatha and Bhila have financed their growth through their own resources and have reinvested the profits.
Creating Jobs and Community Impact
Huku Poultry Farm serves as much more than a private business venture. The operation directly employs seven full-time staff members, providing stable employment in a region where such opportunities are often scarce. The Bhila family remains actively involved in daily operations, with their children also participating in farm activities, ensuring knowledge transfer to the next generation.
The farm’s community impact extends beyond direct employment. As one of the major egg suppliers in the Steenbok area, they contribute significantly to local food security and provide a reliable source of protein for their community. Their eggs are in such high demand that they consistently sell their entire daily production.
Additionally, the couple has begun selling layer hens and chicken cages to smaller poultry farmers in their community. This enterprise development approach helps other aspiring farmers establish their own operations.
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Future Expansion and Optimisation Plans
Despite their current success, Mbatha and Bhila are not resting on their achievements. Their expansion strategy focuses on maximising their existing infrastructure while improving efficiency across all operations. The goal is to get another 30 000 layers, which would significantly increase their daily egg production to meet the growing demand.
The family remains optimistic about potential government support, particularly regarding feed assistance and additional resources that could accelerate their growth trajectory. One such challenge is the installation of electricity, as Eskom is asking for more than R100 000 to help install electricity at their farm.
Expansion of Existing Egg-layer Infrastructure
In order to increase production and profitability, Bhila says they need to equip one of the existing henhouses with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. This expansion, he says, will create accommodation for another 30 000 layers and will increase egg production by a further 62%. “This expansion will require a further investment of [just under R5 million] and a further R3 600 000 for 30 000 point-of-lay hens.” He says the total additional funding to achieve this objective will amount to a little over R8 million.
Animal Feed Production Infrastructure
The Huku Animal Feeds brand is a well-established brand name in the Nkomazi area and in Mozambique, and Bhila says they would like to establish a feed-manufacturing unit in Naas, in one of the buildings owned by the company. “This will increase profitability in the feed market sector as well as in the egg market sector, as this will reduce input costs.”
He says the cost of equipment will amount to more than R6 million, and a further amount of R250 000 will be needed for alterations to the existing building to establish and accommodate the plant and equipment.
