The role of the rural farmer in guinea fowl Numida meleagris value chain, a case study of the Tolon district

摘要

A survey was conducted in Tolon district to assess the role of producers in the guinea fowl value chain. In all 200 guinea fowl farmers were purposively selected for this research work using a structured questionnaire. The results revealed that guinea fowl production enterprise in the study area is male dominated (97%). The study found that all the farmers reared the birds semi-intensively, and birds are provided with housing to roost at night. Supplementary feed and water are provided for the birds on daily basis. Most (56%) of the farmers have flock sizes ranging between 5-25 birds. Birds are allowed to lay on the field and the eggs are collected on daily basis. Majority (55%) stored their eggs in containers whiles the remaining stored in calabash. Brooder hens are used for incubation of eggs and the incubation period ranged between 26-30days. Mortalities are largely recorded in keets, and this mostly occurs during the second quarter of the year. Majority (98%) of the farmers do not vaccinate their birds against any disease. Most (91%) engaged in ethno-veterinary practices. The major problem confronting producers in production and marketing of their products are high keet mortality and low price of products, respectively. Birds are usually sold to aggregators when the farmer is in need of cash. The study has demonstrated that the farmers rear guinea fowl mainly for cash beside the need to meet the social and cultural obligations. The guinea fowl industry has a huge potential for growth, yet the constraints still remain as previously reported over two decades ago. Interventions are required to reach the potential of this sector.