For Grace Natukunda and her brother Edwin Muhereza, farming is more than a business, it is a family legacy. Inspired by their upbringing in a farming household, the duo officially launched Dem Poultry Farm in 2019. What began as a venture rooted in early childhood experience has rapidly evolved into a sophisticated, multi-enterprise agricultural hub that balances poultry, crop production, and sustainable forestry.
Dem Poultry Farm stands out for its commitment to value addition and circular economy principles. Rather than letting chicken droppings go to waste, the farm processes them into Dem Organic Fertilizer, which is professionally packaged and sold in 25kg and 50kg bags.
The enterprise has also diversified into timber production. Utilizing a private forest, the farm acquired its own machinery to process timber both for internal construction projects and for commercial sale. This vertical integration allows the farm to scale its infrastructure while generating a secondary revenue stream.
Despite its rapid growth, with a current capacity of over 10,000 birds in the brooding stage, the farm maintains rigorous standards of professionalism and safety. The organization is structured with a formal board, departmental heads, and dedicated managers for specific sections, such as; brooding management, layer production, and feed and water logistics.
To ensure maximum health and productivity, the farm enforces strict biosecurity protocols. Managers of different sections do not interact physically to prevent the cross-contamination of flocks. This corporate discipline extends to their planning; the leadership team meets regularly to develop comprehensive annual work plans and set measurable performance targets.
Dem Poultry Farm’s reach has moved well beyond local markets. Today, they are a regional player, exporting products to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with plans to expand further into international markets. To support this growth, the farm is currently prioritizing the acquisition of a large-scale hatchery.
This success has not gone unnoticed. The farm’s professional branding on its fleet of vehicles caught the attention of New Vision, leading to national recognition. Grace Natukunda, a teacher by profession, expressed her excitement about the visibility, noting that it has turned the farm into a center for excellence.
The poultry farm is one of the winners of the Best Farmers Awards by dfcu and other partners. To the founders, this recognition is significant in their farming journey.
“This recognition is a boost for our future endeavors. It allows us to expand further and inspire more youth to see farming as a viable career,” Grace says.
The farm has become a vital community resource, employing residents across the region. Offering hands-on skills development for community members and local schools, and capacity building through equipping others with agricultural techniques they can apply on their own land.
Growth on this scale requires strategic financial partnerships. By working with dfcu Bank, Dem Poultry Farm has accessed the credit facilities necessary to expand its operations and scale production over the years.
Looking ahead, Grace is preparing for an international study trip to the Netherlands, a global leader in agricultural technology. For her, this represents a pivotal moment in the farm’s journey.
“This is a dream,” she explains. “I am excited to learn from world-class farmers and bring back advanced knowledge that I can apply directly to our farm to take it to the next level.”
