ΦΑΟ ∆ιϖερσιφιχατιον βοοκλετ 3 ΦΑΟ ∆ιϖερσιφιχατιον βοοκλετ 3 Brian Clarke Agricultural Support Systems Division Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Rome 2004 Diversification booklet 3 All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to the Chief, Publishing Management Service, Information Division, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy or by e-mail to copyright@fao.org The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. © FAO 2004 ISBN 92-5-105075-9 iii Ταβλε οφ χοντεντσ ■ Preface v ■ Foreword vii ■ Abbreviations ix ■ History of domestic poultry production 1 ■ Major types and breeds of poultry 1 ■ Production systems, demography and geography 4 ■ Social, cultural and religious importance of poultry production 5 ■ Role of poultry on the farm and in the household 6 ■ Resources required for poultry production 6 ■ Contributions of poultry to sustainable rural livelihoods 7 ■ Income generation 7 ■ Improved human nutrition 7 ■ The first step on the livestock ladder 8 ■ Empowerment of resource-poor farmers, especially women 9 ■ Positive environmental impact 10 ■ Products free of antibiotic and hormone residues 10 ■ Animal health 10 ■ Role in households affected by HIV/AIDS 10 ■ Key components of rural poultry production 11 ■ Cost-effective ways to improve poultry production 13 ■ Type of bird 13 ■ Feed 13 ■ Shelter 13 ■ Disease control 13 ■ Community collaboration and group formation 14 ■ Diversification of poultry production 15 ■ Intensification of poultry production 17 ■ Utilization of poultry products 19 ■ Home consumption 19 ■ Marketing and sales 19 ■ Sharing market information 20 ■ Entrepreneurial and management skills 20 iv ■ Examples/case studies 21 ■ Case study 1. Smallholder poultry: the Bangladesh model 21 ■ Improving village chicken production by controlling ND 23 ■ Case study 2. South African Fowls for Africa ® Programme 27 ■ Case study 3. Poultry production: a division of a small-scale agricultural programme in Pinalto, Guatemala 28 ■ Case study 4. Duck production in Cambodia 29 ■ Case study 5. Integrated rice-fish-fern-duck farming system in the Philippines 31 ■ Bibliography 33 ■ Sources of information, training and networking 35 ■ Recommended reading 37 Ταβλε οφ χοντεντσ FAO Diversification booklets aim to raise awareness and provide informa- tion about opportunities at the farm and local community level to increase small-scale farmer income. Each booklet will focus on a specific farm or non- farm enterprise or technology that experience has shown can be integrated suc- cessfully into small farms or at a local community level. We explore the poten- tial benefits associated with new activities and technologies, as well as appro- priateness and viability in differing circumstances. The main target audience for FAO Diversification booklets are people and organizations that provide advisory, business and technical support services to resource-poor small-scale farmers and local communities in low- and middle- income countries. We hope to provide enough information to help these sup- port service providers consider new income-generating opportunities, and how they might enable small-scale farmers to take action. What are farmer require- ments and constraints? What are critical “success factors”? FAO Diversification booklets are also targeted to policy level people in gov- ernment and non-governmental organizations. What actions might policy- makers take to create enabling environments for small-scale farmers to diver- sify into new income-generating activities? It is important to point out that the Diversification booklets are not intend- ed to be technical “how to do it” guidelines. In order to provide farmer advi- sory and support activities relating to introduction of new income-generating activities, most organizations will find it necessary to seek more information or technical support. For these organizations, each booklet identifies comple- mentary sources of information and technical support. If you find this booklet of value we would like to hear from you. Tell your Poultry for profit and pleasure v Preface colleagues and friends about it. If you have any suggestions where we can make changes for the better in our next edition, or topics for other booklets – this is equally important. By sharing your views and ideas with us we can eventually provide better services to you. Director, Agricultural Support Systems Division Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Rome, Italy vi Poultry for profit and pleasure vii Rural poultry production is like the ultimate fashion garment: it can be a success by itself, or it can mix and match with almost anything. Raising poultry can be combined with most smallholder farming activities. A poul- try programme designed to fit local conditions will result in some satisfied customers. Rural poultry production con- tributes to sustainable food security in many developing countries, providing income to poor farmers, especially women. It makes good use of local resources, requires few inputs and makes important economic, religious, social and cultural contributions to household livelihoods. Poultry have many advantages in mixed farming systems. They are small, reproduce easily, do not need large investments and can scavenge for food. They thrive on kitchen waste, broken grains, worms, snails, insects and vegetation; in Asia, ducks graze in rice fields. Geese and guinea fowl can serve as sentries; singing birds and fighting cocks can be used for rituals, social activities or betting. The term “poultry” refers to domestic birds that produce eggs, meat, manure and feathers that can be used or traded by their owners. Domestic chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, doves and pigeons, pheasants, quail and ostriches are raised throughout the world; the last three are usually raised on commercial farms. In rural areas it is not uncom- mon to see families raising several types of birds. During the past decade, the world’s poultry population grew by 23 percent in developed countries and 76 percent in developing countries. This spectac- ular increase was largely the result of increased commercial production, notably in the Far East where growth averaged 90 percent. In poor countries, however, the conditions for a success- ful commercial poultry sector are rarely met. These include: • an ability to purchase inputs such as improved breeds, quality day- old chicks, feed, vaccines, drugs and equipment; • the availability of a skilled work- force; • strict disease control; • domestic markets that absorb poul- try products at attractive prices. An area must be self-sufficient in cereal production or have access to hard currency from exports before Foreword viii broiler or egg production can be estab- lished on a medium- or large-scale. In many countries, poultry production is based on traditional extensive low input/low output husbandry. It has been a component of small farms for centuries and will continue for the foreseeable future. Approximately 20 percent of the protein consumed in developing countries comes from poultry meat and eggs. Family poultry contributes 70 percent of poultry pro- duction in most low-income, food- deficit countries (LIFDCs). This booklet aims to inform proj- ect designers, donors, development agencies and development workers of the many ways in which rural poultry can help rural people to improve their livelihoods. Novel ideas are intro- duced, and tested programmes are reviewed. The support of FAO in the production of this booklet is grateful- ly acknowledged. The case study on the Bangladesh model was prepared by the Danish Network for Smallholder Poultry Development. The author would like to thank the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for the resources and support provided during a period of six years for the work undertaken on village poultry production. FIGURE 1 Village poultry are the commonest livestock in rural areas. They fit neatly into the activities of family farms.(Artist: Razac Chame) Poultry for profit and pleasure ix ACIAR Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research ARC Agricultural Research Council, South Africa INFPD International Network for Family Poultry Development LIFDCs Low-income food-deficit countries PSC Poultry supply centre ND Newcastle disease NGO Non-governmental organization Abbreviations [...]... housing and disease control The groups formed the core for future exchanges of experience and provided the social collateral needed to secure loans Step 2: Vaccination campaign Village-based vaccinators, called poultry workers, received three days of initial training in vaccinating poultry and 21 Poultry for profit and pleasure Examples/case studies managing and cleaning vacuum flasks, syringes and needles... White and the Lavender Doves and pigeons In countries where doves and pigeons are raised, owners provide overnight housing and the birds scavenge for their own food They are often raised in villages in conjunction with domestic chickens and ducks FIGURE 3 Backyard geese (Photo: FAO) 3 Poultry for profit and pleasure their wild ancestors and can no longer fly Geese are exceptionally good grazers and will... concentrate and learn better and faster Gideon’s uncle, an important fetish priest, was in charge First, that afternoon, Gideon and I bought two white chickens, male and female for balance and harmony, and a bottle of gin As the chicken stew was bubbling away, Gideon was busy 5 Poultry for profit and pleasure • Feather: appendage growing from the skin of a bird, consisting of a quill, shaft and two vanes... to be time-efficient and cost-effective for the family to survive Key components of rural poultry production The components of rural poultry production are type of bird, feed, shelter, disease control, community collaboration and group formation Examples of Rural poultry production: components Poultry for profit and pleasure BOX 5 how these components can be incorporated into poultry development programmes... flying, and the colour and pattern of their feathers provide camouflage Hens’ strong instinct for brooding enable them to hatch their own eggs and mother the vulnerable chicks They scavenge for food, so they 1 Poultry for profit and pleasure Poultry have been domesticated for thousands of years Archaeological evidence suggests that domesticated chickens existed in China 8 000 years ago and that they later... 10 and treatment of poultry diseases It is easy for farmers to sell poultry to obtain small amounts of cash to pay for the services of an animal-health worker ■ Role in households affected by HIV/AIDS Poultry projects are underway in South Africa and Swaziland to assist families affected by HIV/AIDS Households headed by children or elderly people raise poultry for sale and home consumption Goats and. .. help Poultry for profit and pleasure BOX 6 The question is whether the proposed changes are feasible given the cultural reality, and not whether the cultural reality is correct or desirable (Rushton and Ngongi, 1998) 15 It may seem that having more poultry will make an enterprise more profitable, but this is not always the case Care must be taken to ensure that inputs and expertise are available and. .. improve the birds’ performance, but care must be taken to ensure that the feed provided ■ Disease control Major poultry diseases must be prevented or controlled if rural poultry production is to become a reliable source of income Newcastle disease (ND) can kill 100 percent of susceptible chickens Commercial ND vaccines and good husbandry can prevent the disease in 13 Poultry for profit and pleasure Cost effective... (Miller Chernoff, 1979) ■ Role of poultry on the farm and in the household Farmers may raise poultry for various reasons, from the need to create an income to the simple pleasure of watching the healthy birds In general, rural poultry provide animal protein in the form of meat and eggs; they are available for sale or barter in societies where cash is not abundant Village 6 poultry fulfil a range of functions... technical oil on the day they are laid, which maintains albumen quality for several weeks at ambient temperature 19 Poultry for profit and pleasure Utilization of poultry products BOX 8 A local fowl expert has landed on the world’s gastronomic stage with his nomination for the Slow Food Award 2001 Special Jury Prize Noel Honeyborne of Fowls for Africa is the first South African finalist At a taste-off at . white chickens, male and female for bal- ance and harmony, and a bottle of gin As the chicken stew was bubbling away, Gideon was busy Poultry for profit and pleasure 5 BOX. chickens and ducks. Poultry for profit and pleasure 3 FIGURE 3 Backyard geese. (Photo: FAO) ■ Production systems, demography and geography Rural poultry