After five years teaching in various primary schools in Rwamagana District, Petronia Mukadusabe, quit teaching for poultry farming.

Mukadusabe abandoned teaching three years ago after making a decision she knew would be a turning point in her life.

With all her savings and a Rwf1 million loan she had secured from a bank, Mukadusabe started a poultry farm on her small plot at her home in Nyagasenyi Cell, Kigabiro Sector.

She used the money to set up a structure, buy chicken as well as feeds.

"I started with 500 birds, but they have since increased to 3,000,” she said.

She says she has been earning over Rwf500,000 monthly for the last two years from the sale of eggs alone.

Her income is set to triple as she plans to expand her venture by buying more 4,500 layers to add to her stock. Apart from chicken, the former teacher grows vegetables to supplement her income.

She employs five people, whom she pays between Rwf10,000 and 20,000 monthly, depending on their skills.

The farmer cites scarcity of market for broilers as one of the challenges she faces.

"Customers prefer domestic fowl’s meat to modern broilers,” she said.

She says she has established contacts in Rwamagana and Kayonza towns, as well as supermarkets to supply eggs and chicken.

On average, each chicken go for between Rwf3,500 to Rwf4, 500 while an egg costs Rwf70.

She has invested some of that money in an egg incubator and is now selling more than 1,000 chicks per month, mainly to neighbours who want to venture into poultry farming.