GENDER BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES ALONG THE NEWCASTLE DISEASE VACCINE VALUE CHAIN IN MACHAKOS TOWN SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Traditionally, poultry is kept and reared by women in extensive production systems. In Kenya most developing countries, smallholder productivity constrained diseases such as Newcastle disease (ND), which preventable via a vaccine, yet contributes to significant morbidity mortality among flocks primarily owned managed villages. <strong>Objective.</strong> This study aimed map the vaccine value chain stakeholders identify barriers opportunities for women's engagement along chain. <strong>Methodology</strong>. Qualitative data were collected with 15 key informant interviews four focus group discussions total of 42 farmers Machakos Town sub-county, Kenya. <strong>Results.</strong> The majority consumers women, limited information was one root causes not vaccinating their chickens. Vaccines considered expensive difficult access areas remote from agrovet shops that retail vaccines. <strong>Implication.</strong> showed had no financial control enable procurement. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. Based on results government using Extension service providers should train how use ND vaccine. Furthermore, manufacturers thermo-stable vaccines furnish Agrovet its adoption where cold unreliable.<strong></strong></p>