Analysis of village poultry value chain in Ethiopia: Implications for action research and development

This study (PDF) by LIVES is aimed at developing a baseline understanding of poultry producers in order to identify potential areas of improvement for action research and poultry value chain system development. The results of this study are based on analysis of data drawn from a cross sectional baseline survey of 5004 smallholder households in Ethiopia. The ultimate goal of this study was to explore existing constraints, opportunities and then identify, prioritize and recommend technological, institutional and organizational interventions for action research to facilitate poultry valuechain development. Even the limited research and development initiatives undertaken to improve village poultry production in the country tend to focus only on the technical aspects of poultry keeping in the belief that these constitute the principal constraints. It is, however, increasingly recognized that value chain system development including marketing opportunities and other institutional environments are crucial to capitalize on improved technologies by generating cash income. There are little research and development efforts directed at village poultry in Ethiopia resulting in the sub-sector being highly underdeveloped in terms of its productivity and linkages between producers and consumers. Consequently, the nation is not benefitting much from the potential of village poultry in nutrition or income.