Scaling Poultry Farming in Rwanda: Clemence’s Journey from Startup to Supplier

Through this effort, Clemence built a large operation, managing around 2,000 chickens for both meat and eggs. She also produced approximately 500 kilograms of feed per week, selling part of it to neighbours at an affordable price and becoming a resource for other farmers in the community.

Her involvement deepened when she joined the SERVE project as a youth mentor, guiding younger farmers and sharing practical advice from her own experience. Through this role, she was selected to receive a SERVE grant of 10 million Rwandan francs (approximately USD 6,800), along with a feed-processing machine that transformed her business.

The impact was immediate. What once required a full week of manual labour could now be done in an hour. Clemence’s production capacity rose to 500 kilograms per hour, with the ability to produce up to five tons per day. As orders increased, she expanded her workforce from three employees to 10 full-time staff, along with additional seasonal workers.

She has also diversified into pig farming and expanded her poultry houses. Clemence also plans to build a training centre where young people can learn poultry farming hands-on, from brooding chicks to managing mature flocks. Already, around 70 students have visited her farm for study tours.

Her journey shows how enterprise grants, combined with practical experience and mentorship, can help farmers scale production, create jobs, and become local hubs of knowledge and opportunity.

As Clemence puts it: “The most important thing is to be courageous. When you dare to start, you achieve a lot. Start small and grow. It’s a journey.”