Characteristics of the smallholder poultry production systems in selected districts in Uganda

1. Characteristics of the smallholder poultry production systems in selected districts in Uganda J. Oluka E. Ssewannyanna J. W. K. Masaba G. W. Egadu S. Oluka Uganda Medical Association – Uganda Veterinary Association Joint Scientific Conference 14th - 16th FEBRUARY 2013 Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda

2. Introduction • Smallholder poultry production in developing countries is a major source of protein from eggs and meat and also income gaining more importance and relevance in the socio-economic livelihood of small scale farmers (FAO,1982; Mukiibi-Muka, 1982). • Smallholder poultry production is primarily from free-range low input management system with potential as conduit for spread of deadly trans-boundary zoonotic diseases like the dreaded HPAI • The study was formulated to generate information to better understand the SHPS to enable formulation of appropriate interventions for disease prevention and control in support of the poultry sector and protect farmers from disease threats and maintain sustainable livelihoods of beneficiary communities

3. Free ranging chickens

4. Study areas in Uganda

5. Survey study Areas districts: North-Western Savannah grassland: Arua = 125 South Western Highland ranges: Kanungu = 125 South Easter Kyoga Plains: Tororo = 125 North Eastern Savannah Grassland: Lira = 125 Data analysis: Microsoft Excel 2007 - coding SPSS and SAS – descriptive and inferences

6. Results and discussion

8. Land size per household Educational level of household head

9. High household sizes but low land area creating an environment for small enterprises predominated by poultry keeping Good educational levels and access to communication through phone and radio useful aids to sharing information related to management and control of diseases

10. The average numbers of animals per household

11. Average numbers of animals per household by species Nos

12. Major crops produced in the study areas

13. Crops produced in study area

14. The number of birds per household is largest compared to other livestock species However, crop production in the SHPS is a major activity with cassava, maize, maize and cereals predominating Crop production plays a complementary socio-economic role in poultry production in the fragile low input SHP system

15. Characteristics of small holder free range production systems • Mainly indigenous chickens kept • Freely scavenging for feed • Households with small land size (<1 ha ) • Limited land for crop production • Chicken droppings disposal hardly used as manure • Poor housing with birds sleeping in trees

17. Type of poultry housing

18. Housing status by district Overall housing status (83.8%)

19. Farmer perceptions on housing for birds • Farmers allow birds to sleep on trees believing that it reduces diseases, pests infestation and theft • The practice instead allows contact with wild as well as migratory birds that may carry deadly zoonotic and trans- boundary diseases such as HPAI • Overcrowding that occurs in housed birds believed to encourage infestation and spread of diseases and pests to humans • Better management practices are disconnected with farmers perceptions with regards to role od housing, feeding and health care

20. Extension services constraints Poor access to veterinary services as only 15% household use vet services while 85% do not; and low vaccination at 16% New castle Disease (NCD ) a major cause of epidemics and now probably the biggest constraint to poultry production Extension veterinary services not adequately rolled out to effectively prevent and control poultry diseases and pests Poor education on housing of birds and role in controlling disease outbreaks and threat zoonosis diseases

21. Possible interventions • Strong policy on disease control • Improvement of extension services especially on • disease prevention and control • Access to credit and subsidies on inputs • Improved infrastructure • Support cooperative marketing for poultry • products

22. Conclusions and recommendations • Indigenous chickens are produced in Uganda under low input conditions limited by inadequate land, labour, capital, knowledge and skills • Diseases are the most preventable causes of • mortality where current vaccination levels and • housing are not sufficient enough for disease and • pest control making the system prone to a possible • outbreak of HPAI and other zoonosis • Strong policies, effective extension services and necessary infrastructure are needed to prevent and control poultry diseases to avert a possible dreaded disease epidemic such as HPAI

23. Acknowledgement GoU MAAIF NARO FAO Local Government and civic leaders DVOs Extension workers Farmers Makerere university (Vet. Medicine) NaLIRRI

24. Thank you for listening