Contribution Of Local Poultry Keeping On Poverty Reduction In Tanzania: A Case Of Kongwa Dist

ABSTRACT

There is an emerging and expanding demand for food of animal origin both in the

domestic and export markets. Farmers are hence expected to exploit and increase their

demand for more adoptive and productive animals. This is in line with the current

“Kilimo Kwanza” initiatives and the on going National Strategy for Growth and

Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP) as envisaged in the Tanzania Development Vision 2025.

There has been initiative with insignificant results since colonial times to introduce breeds

of improved local poultry with the intention of increasing the production of eggs and

meat. However, despite the fact that performance of local poultry is characterized by slow

growth rates, low fertility and calving rates and low eggs yield and carcass weight, the

poultry keepers are persisting with it. This study was undertaken with the objective of

examining the contribution of local poultry keeping to the poverty reduction.

The study was undertaken in the lowlands of Kongwa district, Dodoma region. It used

data from a cross – sectional survey design that was conducted on a sample of

smallholder poultry keepers; poultry input suppliers, poultry output users, veterinary

official and key informants.

The study used both primary and secondary data for its conclusion and recommendations.

In concluding, the study recommended poultry keeping policy reforms in the country,

identified factors responsible for the low adoption of dairy technologies and provided

information for designing strategies and pro – poor policies to improve dairy and other

poultry production in the country.