The poultry farm
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Poultry farming, widely regarded as one of the most profitable agribusiness ventures, is increasingly changing the fortunes of women entrepreneurs across Uganda—especially when combined with affordable financing under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.
The $217 million Government of Uganda initiative, funded by the World Bank, is designed to empower women through low-interest loans, training, and business support, enabling them to scale their enterprises and improve household incomes.
For Joselyne Agutu, a resident of Bukaya village in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District, poultry farming has become a life-changing venture. Her breakthrough came when she accessed a Shs19.5 million GROW loan through Pearl Bank in late November 2025.
With the financing, Agutu invested strategically—constructing a modern storied poultry house and purchasing 2,000 chicks, including both broilers and layers. The timing of her investment proved critical.
“I decided to rear chicken for the Christmas season,” she explained. “As a result, my earnings were in millions and I managed to sell my products all over Jinja and up to Najjembe, where buyers would seek me out constantly.”
The strong festive demand enabled her to quickly recover her investment and generate significant profits. Beyond business growth, the impact has been deeply personal. Agutu has since been able to pay school fees for her children and renovate her home—milestones that once seemed out of reach.
Her story reflects a broader trend emerging across the country, where women are leveraging GROW loans to tap into high-demand sectors such as poultry. The project specifically targets female-owned enterprises, including 3,000 refugee-led businesses, with the aim of boosting productivity and creating jobs.
By combining access to affordable credit with viable business opportunities like poultry farming, the GROW Project is not only strengthening enterprises but also transforming households.
As more women like Agutu embrace poultry farming, the sector continues to demonstrate its potential as a powerful engine for income generation, financial independence, and inclusive economic growth in Uganda.
