The diversity of smallholder chicken farming in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania reveals a range of underlying production constraints

The poultry industry in Tanzania has grown steadily over the past decade. We surveyed 121 chicken farming households along an intensification gradient from backyard to semi-intensive and intensive production systems based on rearing system and assumed purpose and poultry breed in the Iringa region. About 30% of households had more than one breed and/or rearing system combination. The subdivision of poultry systems was refined by adding the size of the flocks to highlight variation in scale of operations. On this basis we distinguished 3 main types: 1) subsistence small-scale free-range chicken production; 2) market-oriented small to medium scale semi-intensive and 3) small to medium-large scale intensive systems. ‘Intensification’ involves the transition from keeping indigenous chickens to improved dual-purpose and exotic breeds driven by greater productivity and potential for income generation. The more intensive the production system, the more the intensity and diversity of diseases identified by farmers as their main problem, which was partly attributed to the greater sensitivity of the improved breeds, poor veterinary measures, and the high chicken density facilitating disease spread. Based on the survey we constructed a problem tree to classify the underlying constraints and their interrelations, and to identify common root causes, based on which we propose practical solutions to improve chicken production. Development of medium-large scale systems is particularly constrained by a limited supply of 1-day-old chicks and theft. By contrast, intensification of small-scale systems is constrained by limited access to quality feed, vaccines and medicines, capital, and lack of a reliable market, partly due to the absence of farmer organization. These constraints can be addressed through formation of producer groups and promotion of outgrower and enterprise development models. Enterprise development appears to be the most promising business model for smallholder chicken farmers given that it allows farmers more freedom in decision-making and management while strengthening linkages with input suppliers and output markets to ensure a viable and profitable business.