Pule Monare Expands Poultry Farming Business Through NYDA Funding in the Free State

Pule Monare, founder and sole director of Monseta Empire (Pty) Ltd, is building a sustainable agricultural business through poultry farming in Hennenman, within the Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State Province. Established in 2018, the privately owned agricultural company produces poultry meat and eggs for the local market by raising both broiler and layer chickens. The business received a significant boost in 2025 when the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), through its Lejweleputswa District Office, awarded Monare grant funding to expand its operations. The funding enabled the purchase of chicken structures, poultry feed, cages and point-of-lay chickens, helping increase production capacity and improve operational efficiency. With additional support from the Free State Department of Agriculture, Monseta Empire is strengthening its position as a local agricultural enterprise while contributing to food production, employment and economic development in the community.

Monseta Empire was established in 2018 with a focus on poultry farming and supplying products to customers in the surrounding market. The business operates on a 130-hectare municipally owned farm in Hennenman, providing the setting for its agricultural activities. Under Monare’s leadership, the company has developed a production model that combines broiler farming with layer farming to serve two important parts of the poultry market. Broiler chickens are raised primarily for meat production, while layer chickens produce eggs for human consumption. By operating in both areas, the company can supply different poultry products and respond to local demand for affordable sources of protein.

Poultry farming plays an important role in food production because chicken meat and eggs are widely used in household meals and commercial food preparation. For local farmers, poultry production can create opportunities to establish businesses that supply nearby consumers and contribute to the agricultural economy. However, running a poultry enterprise requires careful planning, consistent access to feed, suitable housing, effective disease prevention and sound financial management. Farmers must also manage production costs and maintain appropriate conditions for the health and welfare of their birds. Monseta Empire’s development illustrates how targeted investment and institutional support can help an agricultural business strengthen its operations and work towards long-term sustainability.

The NYDA Lejweleputswa District Office provided grant funding to Monare in 2025 to support the expansion of Monseta Empire. The National Youth Development Agency supports youth development initiatives in South Africa, including efforts to promote entrepreneurship and help young people establish or grow businesses. Grant funding can help eligible entrepreneurs address investment needs that might otherwise limit their ability to expand. In Monare’s case, the assistance was used to purchase chicken structures, poultry feed, cages and point-of-lay chickens. These resources were intended to strengthen the company’s production capacity and improve the efficiency of its poultry farming operations.

The purchase of chicken structures helps provide suitable housing for poultry and supports the organisation of daily farming activities. Appropriate structures can make it easier to manage birds, maintain hygiene and carry out routine feeding and monitoring. Poultry cages can support the management of layer chickens when used in accordance with applicable animal welfare and production requirements. Poultry feed is another essential operating input because birds need a balanced diet to grow properly and maintain production. Point-of-lay chickens, which are young hens approaching the stage when they begin laying eggs, can help a layer farming operation build or increase its egg production capacity as the birds mature and enter lay.

These investments can contribute to improved production planning and more efficient use of farm resources. For a poultry business, the ability to manage housing, feed supplies and bird numbers effectively can influence operating costs and the consistency of production. Expanding the number of birds also requires careful attention to veterinary care, biosecurity and the prevention of disease outbreaks. Farmers need to monitor flock health, maintain clean facilities and ensure that feed and water remain available. By combining investment in equipment and livestock with responsible farm management, Monseta Empire can work towards maintaining reliable supplies of poultry meat and eggs for its customers.

In addition to the NYDA grant, Monare received assistance from the Free State Department of Agriculture, which has further supported the development of the business. Government agricultural support can play an important role in helping producers address operational challenges and strengthen their capacity to remain active in the sector. Such assistance can complement financial investment by supporting agricultural development and improving the conditions under which farming enterprises operate. For businesses such as Monseta Empire, access to appropriate support can help address immediate production needs while contributing to longer-term planning. Continued attention to sound business practices, animal health and market demand will remain important as the company works to sustain its operations.

Monseta Empire is fully operational and employs two permanent staff members, making the business a contributor to local employment. Although the company currently employs a small team, these positions provide work opportunities within the Hennenman community. Agricultural enterprises can also support economic activity through their purchases of feed, equipment and other production inputs. Their sales of locally produced food help connect farming activities with consumers and other participants in the food supply chain. As the business develops, maintaining stable operations and managing resources effectively will be important to protecting existing jobs and identifying potential opportunities for future growth.

Operating on a municipally owned farm also places Monseta Empire within the broader context of agricultural land use and local economic development. Access to land is an important consideration for farmers because it provides space for production facilities and the management of agricultural activities. However, the long-term success of a poultry business depends on more than the size of the land available. Producers must ensure that their facilities suit their production systems, their operations meet relevant requirements and their products reach customers at prices that support financial sustainability. For Monare, continuing to build the business will require attention to production planning, market relationships and the effective use of the resources already secured.

The experience of Monseta Empire highlights the value of combining entrepreneurial initiative with targeted financial and agricultural support. Since establishing the company in 2018, Monare has developed a poultry farming business that supplies meat and eggs to the local market. The NYDA grant awarded in 2025 helped the company invest in infrastructure, feed, cages and point-of-lay chickens, while support from the Free State Department of Agriculture has further contributed to its development. The business also provides permanent employment for two people and participates in the local food supply chain. As Monseta Empire continues operating in Hennenman, its progress demonstrates how support for agricultural entrepreneurs can contribute to local food production, business development and job creation in the Free State.

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