Wachira M.A^1*., Mailu S.K¹., Munyasi J.W²., Nzioka M³., Mwangi D.M ⁴., Kaguthi P⁵. Kithome J, ⁶

¹Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Naivasha P.O Box 25 Naivasha

² Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Kiboko P.O Box 12, Makindu

3 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Katumani P.O Box 340 Machakos

4 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Headquarters, P.O Box 57811 Nairobi

5 Ministry of Livestock, P.O Box 209 Makindu

6 WACAL P.O Box 78 Makindu

*Corresponding author  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Abstract

Kenya Arid and Semi Arid Lands indigenous chicken project is a public private partnership with the aim of improving livelihoods through production and marketing of indigenous chicken. Indigenous chicken are the most abundant livestock species and provide a flexible production system that is widespread in arid and semi arid lands of Kenya. Existing indigenous chicken production and marketing systems in the project area were benchmarked in 2008. Major challenges affecting the systems were low productivity due to inadequate production skills and knowledge, frequent disease outbreaks and poorly organized markets.  The project adopted the use of trained indigenous chicken service providers branded ‘ICSPs’ to address these challenges at the community level in each of the 8 districts (Mwala, Kibwezi, Nzaui, Kathozweni, Machakos, Kangundo, Matungulu and Masinga) in 2008.  Monitoring was conducted among 64 households drawn from common interest groups (CIGs) in 2009, 2010 and 2011 to assess the effects of ICSPs on production and marketing of indigenous chicken.  Results obtained demonstrated 150% increase in household flock sizes, availability of chicken housing increased by 14% and the use of vaccination as a disease control measure increased by 175% , demonstrating that community based service provision is a viable option for disseminating appropriate indigenous chicken technologies in ASALs.

Keywords: Indigenous chicken; service providers;