Effects of the Adoption of Improved Poultry Management Practices on the Income and Livelihood of Poultry Farmers

Abstract

The development of the poultry industry in Cameroon has been described as the fastest means of bridging the protein deficiency gap prevailing in the country. In order to sustain the interest of farmers in poultry production, improved poultry management practices for greater production efficiency to bridge the demand and supply gap are worth probing. This study investigates poultry production systems, farmers’ adoption of improved poultry management practices and the impact of the adoption of the improved management practices on the livelihood of women and youths in Kumba Municipality, Meme Division. Women and youths involved in poultry farming were identified through the snowball sampling technique. A sample of 56 farmers were administered questionnaires that were analyzed. Results on production systems exhibit that 42.9% of respondents utilized permanent housing structures, 42.9% used semi-permanent housing, while 14.3% relied on temporary housing structures. Poultry production is primarily carried out in the intensive system (52%), with 36% of farmers engaged in semi-intensive system and only 12% of the farmers produce with the extensive poultry farming system. Health management (98.21%) was the most adopted improved poultry management practice, followed by improved cleaning methods (94.64%), special feeding techniques and record keeping (53.57%). There was an observable increment in income greater than 50% as a result of the adoption of the different improved management practices. This increase in farm income had an impact on the livelihood of women and youths as majority were able to satisfy household needs (94.64%), make savings (91.07%), achieve financial independence (83.92%), expand the poultry business (80.36%) and acquire assets (73.2 1%). Conclusively, the adoption of improved poultry management practices improved the livelihood of farmers in the Kumba Municipality of Meme Division by reducing poverty, boosting food security, and enhancing overall well-being. Policies that support farmers and facilitate access to land resources, restrict importation to prevent domestic production from competition with imported birds, ensure disease control through mandatory vaccination programs are recommended to inflame productivity and promote sustainability of the poultry sector.