Two family-owned poultry cooperatives in Kariega, Eastern Cape, have received a combined R642 680 through the Imvaba Cooperative Fund to strengthen production capacity and processing infrastructure.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Milani Macethe Poultry Production Primary Cooperative and Langbooi Sthathu Agricultural Primary Cooperative, both based in Rocklands, Kariega, received funding to rehabilitate poultry facilities and acquire equipment, according to the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC).
The largest allocation of R379 347 went to Milani Macethe Poultry Production Primary Cooperative, comprising R264 984 for infrastructure rehabilitation and R114 363 for processing and cold-chain equipment.
From 200 chicks to 1 500 broilers per cycle
Milani Macethe’s family began producing broilers on a small scale alongside cattle and goats in 2002. The operation, which started with 200-day-old chicks, has since grown to produce about 1 500 broilers per production cycle.
The five-member family cooperative, which operates on a 12-hectare farm in Rocklands Valley, sells live and processed chickens to local residents and traders. It has created two permanent administrative positions for women from the surrounding community.
The funding supported the reconstruction of poultry houses with capacity for up to 6 000 broilers, according to Fikile Mzinyati, ECDC assistant manager for financial incentives and business support. The funding also covered 1 500-day-old chicks, poultry feed and processing equipment, including a poultry plucker, chest freezers, a digital scale and a packaging machine.
The funding has enabled the cooperative to rebuild and expand following the devastating floods of 2022/23, says cooperative manager Thobeka Menze.
Also read: She supplies 3 000 chickens a week – how Itumeleng Mahwete built Nakedi Poultry Farm from scratch
Second cooperative receives R263 333 boost
Langbooi Sthathu Agricultural Primary Cooperative, also based in Rocklands, received R263 333 from the Imvaba Cooperative Fund in April 2026.
The family enterprise, which traces its origins to 2003, is managed by five members of the Langbooi family, and currently employs three other people.
It produces about 1 440 broilers every four weeks, with its facilities able to accommodate 1 500 birds per production cycle. Its processed poultry is sold in 2 kg and 5 kg packs to consumers and local businesses in Kariega, including shisanyamas.
The funding was used to improve production capacity. They renovated broiler housing, bought processing machinery and equipment, and acquired day-old chicks and poultry feed.
“The Imvaba Cooperative Fund has placed our family’s farming business on a strong growth path,” said Chairperson Ntombizanele Langbooi.
Also read: 10 questions about swopping science for broilers – poultry farmer Prudence Thuli Mokwene
Building sustainable poultry businesses
Both cooperatives have benefited from government support over several years and continue to implement poultry production practices that include measures to maintain healthy flocks and sustainable production, Mzinyati says.
These two Kariega businesses moved beyond primary broiler production by improving infrastructure and strengthening their capacity to process and sell poultry products locally.
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