The document discusses the challenges and opportunities in poultry value chain development, highlighting the importance of knowledge management and training for actors involved, particularly women. It notes the adverse effects of avian flu on market potential and emphasizes the need for improved input supply systems and partnerships. Additionally, it outlines successful interventions and lessons learned, including the advantages of microfinance for establishing medium-sized poultry enterprises.

1. Poultry value chain development
interventions and lessons
Initial diagnosis Knowledge management
Value chain interventions • Market potential of poultry was recognized by farmers, local and capacity development
traders and restaurants. News of Avian Flu was a major reason for
delay in development at project start
Input supply interventions
• Inadequate knowledge and skills on commercial poultry
production systems among value chain actors
• Poultry rearing and selling of products was mostly done by
women
Knowledge sharing through group
• Egg production of local poultry systems was poor due to small discussions and demonstrations
number of chicks, high mortality resulting from poor disease
control and feeding practices
Testing of incubators for semi Supply of day old chicks
commercial poultry and hay box brooder • Input supply system, including day old chicks, pullets, veterinary
production services, and supply of feed was poorly developed
• Farmers were price takers. Eggs were sold mostly to consumer or
traders/collectors
• Local producers had very few linkages with other value chain Access to knowledge through training, study
actors tours and farmer field days
Vaccination services for Linkage with poultry feed
supplier from Jimma dairy
Value chain actors, service providers
day old chicks
farmers and linkages
Input supply/ services
National veterinary
institute
Local shop
Production interventions Feed processors
Commercial poultry
farms
Pullet producers
Introduction of semi
commercial egg Additional ICT supported
production to respond information/knowledge via Ethiopian
to market demands Agriculture Portal (EAP) www.eap.gov.et
Knowledge/ Skill
Credit
Office of agriculture
Microfinance
institutions
Poultry Universities
Private industry producers Private sectors,
Shops
Cooperatives
Specialized farmers Targeting
Students
Engaging women in
semi commercial
poultry and egg
production
Market
Local market
Universities
Restaurants
Targeting women and farmers with
entrepreneurial skills
Processing / marketing interventions Lessons and challenges
• Knowledge sharing, training, follow up of interventions, and partner linkages contribute to improving the skills
and knowledge of value chain actors and service providers, including women
• Rapid market assessments are helpful in identifying potential markets
• Village level egg hatching has not resulted in a viable and sustainable system
• Farmers can profitably produce pullets from day old chicks, for own use or sale if appropriate linkages with
Eggs supplied for veterinary services and feed suppliers are established
Introduction of chicken meat
local and urban processing and marketing to
markets restaurants
• Farmers with larger number of birds easily took up advanced production practices including housing, feeding
and disease control
• Farmers (including women) can administer vaccines. However, sustainability of the supply depends on
establishment of dealerships linked to vaccine producers
• Improved feed supply can be initiated through collective action, cooperatives, or ago dealerships
• Credit availability to establish medium sized poultry enterprises was successful – especially for women
Linking with urban poultry traders
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