Well-known Randfontein farmers are advocating quail farming for smallholding farmers to help boost the economy, create jobs and alleviate poverty.

Peter Dowling and his business partner, Simon Mathysen, said not only is it cheaper to farm with quail birds and their eggs, but it can also offer better nutritional value for consumers.

“The production of quail can give smallholding farmers an opportunity to increase their profits and health, and it offers an alternative means of livelihood to urban and rural farmers to address poverty,” Peter told the Herald.

“It is for this reason that we’ve launched this initiative to promote quail farming as a suitable occupation that can contribute to food security, wealth and job creation.”

Peter claims further that quail meat is tastier than chicken, and contains less cholesterol. However, due to quail being smaller than chickens, quail farming has been overlooked.

There is little knowledge on their production, medicinal value, marketing and consumption under smallholder conditions, especially in South Africa,” Peter continued.

He said quail is very popular in Western African countries such as Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria, and closer to home in Zimbabwe and Mozambique – a fact that made him realise it is economically viable.

“We want government to get involved so that we can train emerging farmers properly to farm with quail,” Peter said.

According to Simon, “Government continuously talks about ‘small-scale farmers’ and ‘many hectares of the land that they want to redistribute’ to those who are disadvantaged. We are simply saying they should not give a man fish but teach him how to catch a fish.”

He added that they were willing to help people who are interested in entering this market, so that they can help put food on the tables of many.

“We want all the necessary governmental agencies to come on board and help us spread the word as we embark on this mission,” Simon said.