Strategies of enhancing rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable use and conservation of indigenous chicken breeds in Zambia

Food source

Rural communities in SSA have kept IC for the animal-based protein requirement by consuming chicken meat and eggs. The contribution to food needs for rural households from poultry is much more significant compared to other types of livestock. For example, Guèye (1998, 2000) demonstrates how a simple farmer in Tanzania starts with one pullet and makes massive gains of close to 170 chickens - cocks, hens, pullets and cockerels, 440 to 1,100 eggs and 47 kg of chicken meat in five years, significantly improving the farmer’s food security and general livelihood. In addition, past production trends in the IPS of selected countries in SSA also demonstrated how valuable IC were as food source. For example, between 1984 and 1989, this sector produced 23,117 MT eggs (12%) in Nigeria, 3,172 MT eggs (26%) and 14,835 MT meat (69%) in Ivory Coast, 396 million eggs (36%) and 29,952 MT meat (26%) in Morocco, and over 46 million eggs (71%) and 8611 MT meat (72%) in Kenya (Guèye 1998, 2000). The production in the IPS is expected to have grown exponentially to date.

The dynamics of consumption and use of IC in SSA are strongly associated with culture, socio-economic status and likely so by human population growth three decades from now (Guèye 1998, 2000; Klingholz 2020). For example, in Tanzania, the SSF consumed less than a half of what they produced, and sold the rest to rural areas, whereas in Zambia, the SSF consumed more than half of IC and only sold 20% to urban areas (Queenan et al. 2016).

Household income

Generally, IC have low input requirements depending on the socio-economic status of the rural farmers. However, IC are considered an easy way out of poverty because poor communities are more likely to own and farm them. These quick and easy socio-economic gains explain why these chickens are an entry point to wealth because anyone could start keeping them regardless of their socio-economic status (Guèye 1998, 2000; Dolberg, 2007). Indigenous poultry contributes to household incomes and assets that help improve livelihoods for SSF. Rural communities raise much-needed revenue for their household from chickens' sales to meet their daily household needs, including possible future investments. Guèye (1998, 2000) explained how SSF allocated incomes to various household needs. For example, when family A raises US$180 from selling 30 chickens, they would spend it as follows: US$72 for daily household needs, US$54 for buying clothes, invest $36 in business, and use US$18 for purchasing replacement stock. The meticulous allocation of incomes from IC highlights their value to rural livelihoods. Farmers also use IC as a medium of exchange in form of barter system. For example, in the Gambia, SSF exchanged five full-grown hens with an adult sheep and 25 hens with one adult cow (Guèye 1998, 2000). This trend also illustrated how owning IC was as good as owning any other livelihood assets among SSF.

Gender empowerment

Indigenous chickens are gender and socio-economic equaliser supporting women and children in most parts of SSA (Kitalyi 1998; Guèye 2000; Morek et al. 2010; Simainga et al. 2011; Queenan et al. 2016). In SSA, the socio-economic value of indigenous poultry in empowering women was evident, as over 70% of IC were owned and managed by women and children in the region, which enabled them possess livelihood assets (Guèye 2000; Dolberg 2007). However, Dolberg (2007) pointed out that the physical asset was missing from the IC’s livelihood equation in that – farmers could not harness animal draft power from chickens. Nevertheless, studies by Guèye (2000) demonstrated that farmers could buy or exchange IC with any assets they desired including cattle as was the case in the Gambia.

Some researchers viewed the subject of women empowerment through IC cautiously. For example, in certain societies in Tanzania, women and children could only manage the chickens, but the powers to decide on the marketing and use were still in men's hands (Queenan et al. 2016). Similar findings were examined in Mozambique where prolonged wars significantly reduced the number of cattle and goats resulting in increased interest and control of IC by men (Guèye 1998, 2000).

Social-cultural-religious uses

Some social-cultural and religious functions of IC among rural communities are usually a combination of incomes, consumption, gifts, medicinal and other uses. In SSA, rural communities sacrificed IC during traditional ceremonies and rituals, share cocks as gifts to their guests at cultural events, use the cocks for traditional medicines including sexual stimulation for men, and also hygiene through scavenging (Guèye 2000). White feathered chickens are vital for traditional medicines and sacrifices in Somalia, Cameroon and Zambia. Attaching value to the colour or appearance of indigenous livestock is also a pricing technique under traditional markets in parts of SSA (Mueller et al. 2015).

Other uses

There are other uses of IC observed among SSF in SSA including incubation of eggs, security, ornamental and hobbies. For example, in Ghana, close to 71% of guinea fowls and IC were kept for breeding and most of the eggs incubated. Farmers, strategically selected desired males and females for continued production (Guèye 2000). Similarly, in Ethiopia, eggs were incubated and hatched for continued poultry production. Combined income and consumption use were reported in Zimbabwe, whereas in Nigeria, IC were also used for barter.

Production systems

The method used to produce chickens has a significant bearing on productivity and quality. The three systems of production practised by farmers are free-range system (FRS), where the chickens scavenge for feed, and no health care interventions used, the semi-intensive system (SIS), in which the chickens are partially allowed to scavenge, coupled with feed supplementation, and finally, the intensive system, in which the chickens are entirely confined and fed throughout their growth period (Guèye 2000; Okeno et al. 2013). Production methods such as FRS and SIS are perceived as beneficial to SSF, mainly due to negligible start-up costs, i.e. feeds and drugs (Guèye 2000; Queenan et al. 2016). Further, under FRS and SIS, chickens can roam and fend for themselves with minimal or no supplementary feeding by the farmer.

However, improving practices in areas such as disease control, shelter, marketing, feed supplementing and exploiting available feed resources may increase production efficiency and profitability among SSF in SSA (Goromela et al. 2006). Generally, SSF are at liberty to practice any of the three production systems depending on their constraints and socio-economic status (Guèye 2000). The intensive production system used mainly by commercial broilers and layers producers is unsustainable for SSF because of the high cost of production, disease prevalence, and the highly oligopolistic market controlled by big breeders and producers (Bagopi et al. 2014).

The cost of feeds and other live-inputs in the Zambian poultry industry generally increased in the past five years. In their weekly reports published for the first quarter for five years from 2016, the PAZ demonstrated that prices for solvent extracted soybean meal increased by 27.7% from US$23.50 per 50 kg, whereas a 45.3% increase for broiler starter from US$20.10 per 50 kg, 44% for broiler grower from US$19.30 per 50 kg, 45.9% increase from US$18.50 per 50 kg of finisher and a 49% change in price for layer mash from US$14.70 per 50 kg in the period between 2016 and 2021 during which the average exchange rate was US$1 to 12.95 Zambian kwacha (ZMW) (PAZ, 2021). Further, PAZ reported price increases for day old chicks for improved free-range chickens, layers and broilers by 87.5%, 83.3% and 125% from US$0.80, US$0.60 and US$0.40 per bird, respectively. Other price changes included pullets, broiler, spent layers and IC increasing by 64.8%, 57%, 38.5% and 61.5% from US$8.90, US$3.00, US$2.60 and US$3.90 per bird, respectively (PAZ, 2021). The high costs of feed and other live inputs are the main reasons why SSF have failed to fully participate in commercial poultry production as these costs constitute the highest proportion of production costs.

Although some SSF attempted to produce commercial chickens from 2005 onwards, a majority of SSF continued with IPS by keeping IC because of the low but stable performance under FRS (Bagopi et al. 2014; PAZ 2021). Low costs, easiness of rearing and favourable prices of IC encouraged more SSF to consider IPS as potentially sustainable and profitable (Okeno et al. 2013; PAZ 2021).

Common indigenous chicken breeds

Farmers in the IPS rear different breeds of IC. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MACO) highlighted various IC breeds reared by rural communities in Zambia. The most common IC breeds among SSF include, the common Zambi, Naked neck, Dwarfs or short-legged, Frizzled feathered, Feathery legged, and Short-tailed, with live bodyweights (BW) ranging between 1.3 kg and 2.0 kg at over six months of age (MACO, 2003; PAZ, 2021). However, studies in Nigeria and Botswana suggest significant differences in live BW between female chickens (0.7 - 2.1 kg) and males (1.2 - 3.2 kg) (Guèye 2000).

Compared to broilers at six weeks, the growth period for IC is much longer. In the past few years, new breeds have also been introduced in Zambia’s IPS. Some of these improved free-range chicken breeds, include the Boschvelds, Kruoillers, Black Australorps and Brahma. Although the improved free-range breeds are perceived to mature early and very productive under a free-range set-up, the high prices render them inaccessible to SSF. In general, the negligible costs involved in the production of IC promotes the continued farmer involvement in the IPS. A high benefit-cost ratio in IC is common as any selling price is regarded as profit (Simainga et al. 2011; Queenan et al. 2016). However, numerous challenges outlined in the sections below pose as major threats to IPS.

Diseases and poor nutrition

The decision by SSF to reconsider the rearing of IC is a viable socio-economic strategy. However, poultry diseases and poor nutrition have been significant challenges in traditional poultry farming (Guèye 1998, 2000; Simainga et al. 2011). The argument is that the low input and scavenging production systems are less successful compared to the intensive system for broilers or layers. Uncontrolled poultry diseases and poor nutrition have made IC underperform compared to broilers in Zambia and parts of SSA. Research done in most low-income countries shows that a majority of SSF depend on natural remedies for controlling poultry and other livestock diseases. Guèye (2000) suggested that 79% of farmers used traditional herbs and plants to treat poultry diseases and that over 50% of mortalities happened under IPS by the first four weeks of chicken raising. In other parts of SSA, Queenan et al. (2016) reported that suspected Newcastle disease and fowl pox caused 40% to100% mortalities in IC towards the end of the dry season.

In Zambia, the common diseases in the scavenging system include Newcastle disease, fowl pox, fowl typhoid, infectious coryza, Gumboro, helminthiases, and ectoparasites, which have contributed to poor performance and high mortalities of IC experienced among SSF (Phiri et al. 2007; Simainga et al. 2011; Mubamba et al. 2018). In 2012, over 27% of SSF relied on traditional medication and less than 15% used veterinary drugs, resulting in 60% of the IC dying (Lubungu and Mofya 2012).

Despite the high disease prevalence observed in IC, there are beneficial adaptability and genetic gains through natural selection. The harsh environments in which indigenous livestock are reared leads to disease resistance and high adaptation to low-quality diets (Mapiye et al. 2008; Gizaw et al. 2010; Queenan et al. 2016). These traits which are more superior in IC than commercial breeds may be essential in future chicken breeding programs (Mapiye et al. 2008). Gizaw et al. (2010) suggest that adaptive traits are equal or more important than production traits in indigenous livestock production systems.

Nutritional challenges

Other nutritional concerns are the poor poultry feeding regimes among SSF. There is limited supplementary feeding and a lower plane of nutrition under the scavenging system, which ultimately leads to mortalities and reduced consistency in chicken (eggs) size and quality (Queenan et al. 2016). The majority of the IC are left to roam and scavenge for feed sources, such as insects, termites, vegetables, seeds, grains and earthworms and in rare situations, farmers supplement the chickens with kitchen waste, maize bran, leafy vegetables and other cheap feed sources (Mwalusanya et al. 2002; Goromela et al. 2006; Mapiye et al. 2008).

There are also variations in the availability of scavenged feeds depending on the time of year in Zambia. Village chickens have access to high protein insects and earthworms in the rain season (December to April), and high energy feed sources during the harvest of field crops in May to August, whereas, in the hot and dry season, a severe shortage of nutritious feed sources leads to poor health, malnutrition and high mortalities (Queenan et al. 2016). Dry seasons require feed supplementing to mitigate adverse effects on IC. In some parts of SSA, the breeding of black soldiers fly larvae and maggots as sources of protein are being experimented with and may improve nutrition in the IPS, especially in the dry seasons (Kenis et al. 2014).

Low policy support for indigenous poultry

A majority of SSA countries employ funding and infrastructure development plans favouring larger livestock species, predominantly run by commercial entities and minimal attention is given to IPS, despite SSF being part of the primary data source when designing policies on funding and infrastructure (Dolberg 2007; FAO 2019). These policies exacerbate the problems experienced in IPS and SSF feel that political leaders and scientists do not adequately represent them (Dolberg 2007). For example, recently, a livestock infrastructure support project funded by African Development Bank focused on the construction of dairy and beef infrastructure, whereas the Second National Agriculture policy of 2016 to 2020 did not adequately cover how value addition and market participation for SSF in IPS would be implemented in Zambia (MFL 2017).

Regulation on importation of poultry products

Poultry products worth millions of dollars are imported from overseas to SSA, negatively impacting both the commercial and IPS. In 2018, South Africa imported frozen poultry products of mixed parts valued at over US$65 million from different sources in Brazil (PAZ 2021). These products lacked traceability, posed a public health threat and also affected the local poultry sector. In Ghana, over US$60 million worth of poultry products were imported in 2018. These importations prompted the local poultry association to engage the Ghanaian government to introduce quotas on poultry imports in order to protect local poultry farmers. To mitigate the adverse effect of unfair trade, a ban on poultry imports was sanctioned in Namibia whereas, in Zambia, the poultry association engaged the government to promote policies that protect and enhance SSF in IPS (PAZ 2021). Some policy researchers recommend factoring in some livestock production policies and legislation on consumption to existing environmental management policies that could enrich strategies, enhance community benefits and reduce food wastage (Steinfeld and Gerber 2010).

Low access to formal and stable markets

In SSA, farmers in the IPS face barriers preventing them from accessing a formal market. These obstacles are associated with market standards and requirements, such as selling frozen whole or portions of chickens, packaging, labelling, and selling from standard outlets (Bagopi et al. 2014). Producers in IPS cannot compete with larger commercial entities because they neither own the required facilities nor the brands nor organised sales outlets (Simainga et al. 2011; Bagopi et al. 2014; Queenan et al. 2016). Further, the only way smallholder farmers can sell their chickens or eggs directly to established markets is through groups and intermediaries who manage most market channels (Bagopi et al. 2014). This way is also full of obstacles.

In Zambia, SSF sell chickens through informal markets, such as the roadside, village markets, backyard, and direct to consumers (Queenan et al. 2016; Mubamba et al. 2018; PAZ 2021). Recently, informal markets have transformed into essential selling points making it possible for farmers to organise and meet consumers’ demands on quality and quantity. For example, the concepts of “Tuesday and Saturday markets” in some parts of the country have become popular. In the Northern part of Zambia, this traditional market is also called Munada, where traders agree on the date and place for the market day.

Generally, the low access to reliable markets affects the sales and consumption dynamics of IC among SSF. For example, in Tanzania, the SSF sold twice more village chickens and eggs to rural areas than they consumed and sold at US$3.72 per live chicken, whereas in Zambia, producers of IC consumed more than half of their chickens and only sold 20% to urban areas at an average price of US$3.37 per bird (Queenan et al. 2016). The variation in selling points and consumption levels shows how undefined and informal the markets in IPS is in parts of SSA.

Poor housing facilities

The lack of reliable poultry housing facilities for IC under scavenging systems is another constraint. Some IC are kept in undeveloped poultry houses at night to secure them from predators. However, in many cases, the chickens are left to hide in trees, making them vulnerable to predators, such as cats and dogs (Guèye 2000; Simainga et al. 2011). Consequently, theft, predation and environmental hazards are common, and significantly contribute to losses IC observed in the IPS. For example, a survey conducted in Western Zambia showed that 93% and 84% of the households interviewed attributed the losses to predation and thefts, respectively (Simainga et al. 2011).

Increased consumer demand for indigenous chickens

Despite the barriers and challenges experienced by SSF, IC are essential to both rural communities and consumers. In the past few years, the demand and preference for IC have steadily grown among consimers. The increased preference for IC results from the perceived good taste, fine texture, and health benefits of consumers, with some preferring male chickens for the large size and hens for their tenderness (Guèye 2000; Queenan et al. 2016). Although in South Africa, studies by Dyubele et al. (2010) found that consumers prefered broilers to IC due to tenderness and other attributes. Generally, the increased demand has led to a substantial rise in prices of IC over commercial chicken meat, potentially creating an opportunity for SSF (Guèye, 2000; Ajayi 2010; Queenan et al. 2016; PAZ 2021). For example, studies showed that, in Senegal, IC meat was sold at 27% higher than commercial broilers, while in Nigeria, the cocks were sold at prices over 300% more than the hens or broilers (Guèye 2000).

Similar trends have been observed in Zambia where the IC sell at nearly twice the price of broilers (PAZ, 2021). The Poultry Association of Zambia reported that, in 2016, live IC were sold at US$4.0, which was 33% higher than broiler while in the first quarter of 2021, IC were priced at US$6.40, which was 73% more than broiler chickens. During the period under review, on average, US$1was equivalent to ZMW12.95. This trend is consistent with some studies, where IC prices were higher particularly when sold in formal markets or places familiar to consumers (Guèye 2000; Queenan et al. 2016). Consumers want proof that what they are buying is indeed IC.

Population growth and food demand

Consumer demand for healthy products, including IC meat and eggs, will increase with human population growth in SSA. The United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation’s revised projections show that from 2005 to 2050, the global human population will grow up to 9.2 and 9.8 billion, of which over 46% of growth will be in SSA, and a 60% increase in food demand is expected (Alexandratos and Bruinsma 2012; FAO 2019). During the same period, Zambia’s population will reach 39 million, contributing to increased food requirements (Klingholz, 2020). Annual population growth of 1.9% in SSA with per capita food consumption of less than 2500 (Kcal/person/day) and annual undernutrition levels 20% higher than other regions was predicted for the period between 2005 and 2050 (Alexandratos and Bruinsma 2012).

Food consumption patterns

The population changes will significantly raise the food demand and consumption pattern of animal-based protein, which accounts for 40% of total protein consumed by humans (Lebbie and Ramsay 1999; Boland et al. 2013; Mueller et al. 2015). Some scholars also predict that the emerging of the middle-class will highly influence an increase in meat consumption in low-income countries, which will require applying technology and innovation to meet the demand during 'The Livestock Revolution' (Steinfeld and Gerber 2010). Globally, from 2000 to 2050, researchers predict an 82% increase in meat consumption, equivalent to 233 - 271 million MT of which 88 million MT is poultry and over 183 million MT from bovine, ovine and pig meat combined (Alexandratos and Bruinsma 2012; Boland et al. 2013). In other regions, meat consumption will increase at a slow rate, although the volumes demanded will be substantial, especially in SSA, where the farming population will get older and a majority will migrate to the urban areas as the middle class expands (Klingholz 2020).

Farmer mobilisation and sustainable interventions

To mitigate the future challenges on food and nutritional security, governments need to design sustainable agriculture programs, increase investment in research and promote sound policies that encourage the participation of youths in agribusiness and food production (Alexandratos and Bruinsma 2012; Klingholz 2020). In a few decades, SSF working in isolation in SSA may face more constraints as opposed to those working collectively. Farmer belonging to organised groups would improve production and productivity, achievable through good management, sustainable use and conservation of indigenous AnGR, improved disease control, improved nutrition and value addition (Livingston et al. 2011; Mueller et al. 2015; Queenan et al. 2016). Therefore, mobilising SSF into organised groups will significantly promote innovative RCS engagements and result in productivity and sustainability in the IPS in Zambia. The next section outlines examples of effective interventions emanating from RCS engagements in selected low-income countries.

Examples of community-based interventions

There are practical examples of RCS engagements and their impact on SSF as demonstrated by Rodríguez et al. (2011) and Mueller et al. (2015). These strategies resulted in socio-economic gains among rural communities that adopted various interventions in low-income countries. Mueller et al. (2015) outlined the process required when establishing CBBP and gave examples of such approaches in developing countries that worked and those that faced challenges. These breeding plans had common features, including initiators being either the community or government research institutions, well-formulated breeding objectives based on indigenous or local breeds, the existence of institutional support (technical or financial) and each of the plans recorded a change (Rodríguez et al. 2011; Mueller et al. 2015).

Outcomes of CBBP

The analysis of various community-based interventions in low-income countries showed that support from research institutions and the government was crucial in achieving the set objectives. Further, the farmers worked together to identify and describe the problems to stakeholders. The impact of community-based interventions in low-income countries were empirically reported. For example, in Vietnam, pork farmers achieved between 40% and 100% increment in pork prices resulting from SSF working together with government institutions in identifying challenges and finding solutions, in Kenya, SSF experienced fast growth in goat population, and over 300% increase in goat milk yields from 0.25 litres per day after community-based solutions, where as in Ethiopia, positive testimonies and sharing of knowledge among SSF led to widespread adoption of sheep breeding strategies among rural communities (Mueller et al. 2015). Similar benefits of RCS interventions were observed in Benin where government and the community engaged in vaccinating IC and broilers against Newcastle disease and using improved poultry management resulted in 58% more profits from IC compared to broilers (Rodríguez et al. 2011). Like many community-based programs, RCS interventions are not spared from challenges. For example, in Bolivia, where the objective of the community-based intervention was improving the fibre quality of wool from llamas, politics, financial mistrust and funding challenges resulted to low stainability (Mueller et al. 2015).

Challenges of community-based interventions and way forward

Generally, there are issues related to community-based interventions. Mueller highlighted trust, financial and technical problems that potentially affected sustainability and continuation of CBBP in some countries. These are important lessons worth considering when designing CBIPDP through RCS engagements for the IPS in Zambia. Promoting the voices and views of the target rural communities and understanding the local context is essential for designing sustainable community-based interventions (Patton 2010; Bryman 2016). For example, promoting poultry development plans based on exotic breeds, instead of indigenous species, is less valuable to SSF due to lack of adaptation new breeds to the local environment.

Some challenges associated with exotic breeds include low literacy, lack of records, diseases and high prices of breeds and costs of production for SSF (Mueller et al. 2015; Mtileni et al. 2016; Sebho 2016). Therefore, considering the local context, IC breeds, and promoting ownership of the intervention through RCS engagements is crucial to the sustainable conservation of IC-AnGR.

Selective adoption of workable approaches based on lessons learnt from IC-AnGR conservation and use would increase the chances of designing a sustainable community-based innovation targeting SSF in the IPS (Guèye 2000; Mueller et al. 2015; FAO 2019). For example, FAO outlined priority areas and interventions to promote the sustainable management and conservation of indigenous AnGR and enhancing livelihoods for rural communities as a global action plan.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations promoted five strategic areas on use and conservation of indigenous AnGR (FAO 2015, 2019). These are: (a) enhancing knowledge on characterisation of local animals, (b) develop sufficient institutional frameworks for AnGR management, enhanced linkages among livestock farmers, and stakeholders concerning policies and programmes, (c) Enhance awareness through education, training and research in significant areas of AnGR management, (d) Enhancing breeding strategies and programs to harness available genetic resources and match them with environments of production and requirements of societies and (e) Increase and diversification of conservation programs and possibly mix some approaches that use existing livestock breeds in the typical production environment and consider gene banks' use to store genetic materials. To implement the five areas, FAO required individual countries to undertake various programs towards the stated strategies and also expected to submit biodiversity status reports to the FAO Commission on biodiversity.

Zambia has implemented programs towards conservation of indigenous AnGR and promoting sustainability among SSF some of which partially fulfilled the five strategic areas of FAO. The programs planned and implemented through research and extension include; on-going farmer engagements and capacity building with donor support on climate-resilient projects, establishing livestock breeding centres across the country, promoting farmer driven innovation such community-based program on indigenous livestock, making available breeding technologies such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer among SSF through the National Artificial Insemination Services Centre in Mazabuka in Southern province of Zambia. Through the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for African Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Zambia formulated and launched the National Strategic Action Plan in 2018 - 2019 (NSAP) (MFL 2019). Specifically, NSAP was developed to promote sustainable utilisation and conservation of indigenous AnGR in Zambia.

Therefore, a sustainable IPS development plan based on understanding the production systems used by SSF, clearly defined roles of stakeholders and the importance of IC, has the potential to strengthen sustainable conservation of IC and enhance rural livelihoods. The evidence of success of RCS engagements in identifying problems and designing solutions indicates that adapting general practical principles from guidelines from RPF, FAO, and CBBP justifies why CBIPDP is a well-placed project for Zambia’s IPS.