For many smallholder farmers, finding high-quality chicks and reliable farm supplies is not easy. Limited options, high prices, and logistical challenges often make it difficult for them to run their poultry businesses smoothly.
Recognizing this need, AKM Glitters stands as one of Tanzania’s leading integrated poultry companies, dedicated to transforming the poultry sector by empowering rural farmers with innovative solutions and advanced technology. The company has earned a distinguished reputation for supporting smallholder poultry farmers, with a particular emphasis on youth and women, through its comprehensive business models and services. AKM Glitters provides important services like farm supplies, training, financial support, and advice, all of which are essential for the success of rural farmers.
To improve efficiency and streamline its operations, AKM Glitters Company Limited partners with eProd Solutions Limited through the Digitalization Challenge, a program co-funded by the Rabo Foundation. This partnership has allowed AKM Glitters to strengthen its innovative franchise business model, known as the “brooder model” which is designed to support smallholder poultry farmers. Here’s how it works:
- Franchise System: AKM Glitters provides its franchisees, referred to as “brooder enterprises,” with essential farm inputs and technical services. This includes day-old chicks, feeds, vaccines, drugs, drinkers, feeders, and poultry guidebooks.
- Support and Training: The company offers extensive training and extension services to ensure that the franchisees can effectively manage their poultry ventures. This support helps farmers improve their productivity and profitability.
- High-Quality Inputs: AKM Glitters specializes in the Kuroiler breed, a dual-purpose chicken known for its high egg and meat production. The company ensures that farmers receive high-quality chicks and other necessary supplies.
- Profitability: Franchisees rear the chickens for about four weeks and then sell them, typically earning a profit margin of 20-30%.
- Wide Reach: AKM Glitters has around 520 franchisees across Tanzania, making it easier for smallholder farmers to access high-quality inputs and technical support.
With eProd’s tools for poultry feed management and poultry inventory management, brooder units can communicate more effectively, place orders, process transactions, issue receipts, and access products digitally.
In addition to the Brooder Model, AKM Glitters has introduced a Financial Inclusion Model to help farmers access credit and better manage their finances. Tracking loan repayments has been a challenge for many agribusinesses, with keeping up with repayments often difficult and costly.
However, with eProd’s agricultural financial tracking tools, AKM Glitters has been able to monitor the inputs issued to farmers, whether against cash, inputs, or provided free of charge. The platform offers updates on loan statuses, making it easier for both farmers and the company to stay on top of repayments. This has enabled them to increase financial transparency in their poultry farming operations.
By maintaining records of farmer loan repayments, AKM Glitters can also use the data for credit scoring, helping smallholder farmers gain access to finance and further support their business growth.
As AKM Glitters expands its incubation hubs to provide training and mentorship to farmers, the eProd platform supports these initiatives through efficient communication and training management. “The eProd platform serves as a critical resource for continuous learning and skill development, ensuring farmers are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary for success in poultry farming and supporting the sustainable growth of their businesses.” Said Elizbeth Swai, Chief Executive Officer of AKM Glitters. These efforts promote Sustainable Farming Practices and Supply Chain Transparency in Poultry Agriculture, ensuring long-term benefits for rural communities.
By combining its business models with innovative technology, AKM Glitters is helping rural poultry farmers overcome challenges and build strong, profitable businesses. By combining its business models with innovative technology, AKM Glitters is helping rural poultry farmers overcome challenges and build strong, profitable businesses. As eProd, we are proud to continue supporting the poultry business, constantly adding features tailored to this sector, such as efficient hatchery management, traceability, and streamlined poultry feed production and distribution.
Would you like to learn more about how eProd can assist your business? Contact us at info@eprod-solutions.com for more details.