Strategies for developing family poultry production at village level - Experiences from West Africa and Asia

The Danida-financed Network for Smallholder Poultry Development (NESPOD) has several years of experience in supporting family poultry development at village level by focusing on women and the poor. By taking into account that women traditionally are taking care of poultry in most countries and that livestock of the poor mainly consist of small flocks of poultry, NESPOD has developed a strategy which involves not only disease control or introduction of improved breeds, but a holistic approach also taking into consideration social, cultural, marketing, credit and general management aspects. Tools involved in the development of family poultry range from sensitisation of village groups and organisation of women in poultry groups to training of village vaccinators, farmer field schools for poor illiterate women, organisation of local vendors, use of private veterinarians, and not least involvement of national research, education and extension institutions and international organisations. Results from Bangladesh, Benin, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Togo are very promising in terms of creating non-subsidised activities with clear benefits for poor farmers as well as local entrepreneurs.