Impact assessment of improved chicken genetics on livelihoods and food security of smallholder poultry farmers in Nigeria

This study aimed at assessing the impact of the African Chicken Genetic Gains project on the livelihoods, and food security of smallholder poultry farmers in Nigeria. A total of 2,100 households were selected from 60 villages located in five states representing different agro-ecological zones: Kebbi (Sudan Savanna), Kwara (Southern Guinea Savanna), Nasarawa (Derived Savanna), Imo (Humid Forest) and Rivers (Forest Lowlands and Mangrove Swamp). Each household was randomly allocated an average of 30 birds from any one of the six improved chicken breeds (Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha, Kuroiler, Noiler, Sasso and ShikaBrown) tested on-farm. Baseline survey was conducted to provide a benchmark for both the on-farm test and post-on farm survey. For each of the surveys, structured questionnaires were developed, tested and administered using the Open Data Kit data collection tool pre-installed on Lenovo tablets (Model: Lenovo TAB 2 A7-30H). Data were subjected to inferential statistics (Chi-square test and Analysis of Variance). During the on-farm study, supplementary feed and vaccination services were provided for the birds, while the households received trainings on poultry management practices. Average household size was 7. Overall, the number of households consuming eggs increased by 50% (54% - 84%) while there was a 60% (47.7% - 76.5%) increase in the number of households eating chicken meat. The number of chickens consumed/household/month increased from 1 to 2, while the number of eggs consumed/household/week increased from 1 to 3. The results showed that average household monthly income from egg sales increased by 231% from N 3,020 ($ 14) to N 7,750 ($ 36) and when cocks were sold, N 8,400 ($ 39) was added to household income. Conclusively, daily monthly household income increased from N 475 ($ 2.2) to N 750 ($ 3.5) while egg and meat consumption increased by 200% and 100%, respectively. The impact on food security, and livelihoods was a result of the performance, and productivity of the improved, high producing chicken breeds introduced by African Chicken Genetic Gains in Nigeria.