A medical doctor Ian Katanga from Nkhata Bay, is making waves in the poultry farming industry with his innovative approach to livestock production.
Katanga has always had a passion for agriculture and has now turned his dream into a reality with KHN Farms.
Established in November 2023, KHN Farms is an agribusiness that specialises in livestock production, specifically chickens and piggery.
However, Katanga’s vision goes beyond just farming. He plans to provide affordable and quality poultry feed to small-scale farmers in the Northern and Central regions of Malawi.
“I realised that small-scale poultry farmers were paying huge costs due to expensive commercial feeds. I wanted to provide an alternative that would work well at a cheaper price,” Katanga explained.
Katanga’s brainchild, KHN Poultry Feeds, is currently in its pilot phase. The company has produced a prototype feed that is undergoing testing. Once the feed is perfected, Katanga plans to launch it on the market.
Katanga’s expertise goes beyond just farming. He has written four booklets on chicken farm management, quail management, feed formulation and organic production of poultry.
His knowledge and experience make him a valuable resource for small-scale farmers in the region.
Katanga’s long-term goals are ambitious as he wants KHN Farms to become a major player in the poultry sector and a centre of excellence for poultry production in Malawi.
He plans to expand his production lines to include layers feeds, pig feeds and establish a large-scale hatchery for broiler chickens.
For now, Katanga is handling most of the work himself with the help of temporary workers.
However, once the business is established, he plans to employ five permanent staff members.
“We are excited to see young entrepreneurs like Ian Katanga taking the initiative to start their own businesses and create jobs in the agriculture sector,” said Dr. Ted Nankhukwa, National Coordinator for Agcom.
“We believe that agriculture has the potential to drive economic growth and development in Malawi and we are committed to supporting initiatives such as KHN Farms.”
