Local chicken restoration: Empowering smallholder farmers in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia’s agricultural heartland, a crisis looms over rural life as indigenous chicken populations dwindle, impacting local economies and food security. PELUM Ethiopia’s Teferi Gemeda and Berhanu Hagos highlight their network’s role in spearheading a transformative initiative to restore and multiply indigenous chicken farming. This effort aims to empower rural communities and rejuvenate their livelihoods amid uncertainty.
Agriculture stands as the cornerstone of the Ethiopian economy, contributing approximately 42.30% to the total gross domestic product (World Bank, 2014). Within this vital sector, livestock, including chickens, play a significant role, accounting for 26.40% of the national gross domestic product (ILRI, 2016). However, despite its pivotal contribution to the economy and livelihoods of millions, the indigenous chicken population has faced a concerning decline in recent years, posing threats to both food security and the resilience of rural communities.
The dwindling numbers of indigenous chickens can be attributed to various factors, foremost among them being the introduction of exotic breeds. Since as early as 1952, breeds such as the White and Brown Leghorns, Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, Cornish, and Australorp Light Sussex have been introduced to Ethiopia with the aim of improving productivity (Tamir, 2015; Nigussie, 2011). While these exotic breeds were initially heralded as a means to bolster chicken production, they have proven to be ill-suited to Ethiopia’s diverse climatic conditions and prevalent diseases. Additionally, challenges such as disease outbreaks, predation, inadequate healthcare services, limited access to quality feed sources, and insufficient marketing information have all contributed to the declining productivity of indigenous chickens in many regions across the country (Natnael, 2015).
PELUM Ethiopia’s initiative to revitalize indigenous chicken farming
In response to these challenges, PELUM Ethiopia has embarked on a transformative project aimed at revitalizing and multiplying indigenous chicken populations among smallholder farmers, with a particular focus on empowering female farmers. Recognizing the inherent advantages of indigenous chickens, such as their adaptability, resilience, and suitability to local environments, the project seeks to harness the potential of these birds to enhance food security and uplift rural livelihoods.
The project commenced with comprehensive baseline assessments conducted in key regions, including the Oromia and South Nations and Nationality Peoples (SNNP) regions, specifically in Arsi Zone Lode Hetossa (LH) Woreda and Debub Sodo (DS) Woreda, respectively. These assessments provided crucial insights into the existing challenges and opportunities surrounding indigenous chicken rearing and served as the foundation for targeted interventions.
Following the assessments, extensive consultations were held with local stakeholders, including community leaders, government officials, development programs, elders, and religious leaders, to garner support and consensus for the restoration and multiplication of indigenous chicken populations. Through these engagements, a shared vision and commitment to revitalizing indigenous chicken farming emerged, paving the way for collaborative efforts to address key challenges and unlock opportunities.
Central to the project’s success has been its focus on awareness creation and capacity building among smallholder farmers, particularly women, who play a pivotal role in poultry rearing and household food security. Training sessions, workshops, and demonstration plots have been conducted to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage indigenous chicken breeds, including proper housing, nutrition, healthcare, and breeding practices.
In addition to capacity building, the project has provided tangible support to beneficiary farmers, including the distribution of indigenous chicken breeds. Each farmer received five indigenous chickens, comprising four females and one male, to initiate their poultry farming activities. This support has been instrumental in catalyzing local chicken rearing efforts and empowering farmers to generate income and improve their livelihoods.
Testimonials of some beneficiary farmers
The impact of the project on beneficiary farmers has been remarkable, with many reporting significant improvements in their livelihoods and food security. Ato Mekonen Kebede, a farmer from Arsi Zone, has seen his chicken population soar from five to 36 in just three years, with substantial increases in egg production and income. Similarly, Mrs. Tarafu Abayneh and Mrs. Bemshi Negash, from different regions, have experienced notable gains from indigenous chicken farming, generating additional income and ensuring food security for their families.
Despite these successes, the project continues to face challenges, including the availability of pure indigenous chicken breeds, access to extension services, disease management, predation, and limited resources for scaling up activities to other regions. However, through concerted efforts and partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders, the project remains committed to overcoming these challenges and expanding its impact across Ethiopia.
PELUM Ethiopia is a strategic partner of the African Biodiversity Network. Explore their work further at: https://pelumethiopia.org.et
Links for further reading:
- World Bank, Ethiopia’s Great Run–the Growth Acceleration and How to Pace it, Report No. 99399.ET,) World Bank Group, Washington, DC, USA, 2014.
- ILRI (International livestock Research Institute), Unlocking the Potential of Ethiopian Livestock Sector, ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya, 2016, https://news.ilri.org/…/unlocking-the-% 20 potential of-the-.
- Central Statistics Agency (CSA), federal democratic republic of Ethiopia,” Agricultural Sample Survey. Vol. II. Report on Livestock and Livestock Characteristics (Private Peasant Holdings), CSA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2017.
- Tamir, Y. Moges, and H. Tilahun, “Determinants of adoption of exotic poultry breeds among smallholder poultry producers in North Western Amahara Region, Ethiopia,” Global Science Research Journals, vol. 3, pp. 162–168, 2015.
