By Gladys Kapto (Poultry News Africa editorial specialist)
East Africa is at the forefront of issues posed by the ongoing disruption of agricultural systems globally by climate change. Poultry farmers in the area are facing challenges such as temperature rise, unpredictable weather patterns, and a growing frequency of catastrophic natural disasters like floods and droughts. This article delves deeper into how climate change is affecting East African chicken production and focuses on the methods used to lessen its effects.
- Hot weather and disease epidemics: As temperatures rise, chickens become increasingly vulnerable to heat stress, which poses significant risks to their overall well-being and productivity. Heat stress occurs when chickens are unable to regulate their body temperature effectively, leading to adverse outcomes such as decreased egg laying, delayed growth, and even mortality due to prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Furthermore, the warmer climate creates conducive environments for the transmission and spread of diseases like avian influenza and Newcastle disease, further jeopardizing the health and viability of chicken populations.
To address the challenges associated with hot weather and disease outbreaks, poultry farmers must implement proactive measures to protect their flocks and mitigate the risks. This includes ensuring adequate ventilation and cooling systems within poultry housing structures, maintaining access to clean and cool water sources, and enforcing strict biosecurity protocols to prevent disease transmission. Additionally, regular monitoring of chicken health and early detection of any signs of illness are crucial for implementing timely interventions and control strategies. By prioritizing the welfare and health of their chickens, farmers can effectively navigate the challenges posed by high temperatures and disease epidemics in poultry farming.
- Scarcity of water and food shortages: In various parts of East Africa, the effects of climate change are amplifying the scarcity of water, posing considerable challenges for poultry farmers in ensuring adequate hydration for their poultry. Droughts, in particular, are exacerbating this issue by severely limiting the availability of crucial feed resources, such as legumes and maize. As a result, the prices of these essential feeds skyrocketed, significantly increasing production costs for farmers. The scarcity of both water and feed has detrimental effects on poultry health, leading to potential reductions in egg and meat production.
- Increased stress from pests and predators: Climate changes can affect the distribution and number of pests and predators that are harmful to chicken farms. Warm weather, for instance, may promote the growth of pests like flies and mites, which irritate birds and spread disease. Similarly, the changed patterns of rainfall can impact the habitats and habits of predators like snakes and prey-seeking birds, and it can also result in increased predator rates on chicken farms.
- Resistance and adaptability techniques: Even though there are many challenges, poultry farmers in East Africa are resourceful and find ways to adapt. They use different methods to lessen the impact of climate change. This includes investing in chicken breeds that can handle the changing climate better and are well-suited to the region. They also improve their chicken houses by making them cooler and better ventilated, so the chickens aren’t as affected by extreme temperatures. Additionally, they find ways to save water, like using drip irrigation or collecting rainwater. These techniques help farmers keep their chickens healthy and productive, even when faced with the difficulties brought by climate change.
- Government aid and capacity building: To help poultry farmers adapt to climate change, both governments and non-profit groups are working harder. For example, the Ethiopian government is running programs to promote smart ways of farming chickens that are better for the climate. They’re also giving farmers capital to invest in stronger farming equipment. In Kenya, NGOs are teaching farmers how to farm poultry in ways that are more resilient to climate change. They’re also helping farmers get cheaper food for their chickens and access to vets. These programs are important because they give farmers the knowledge and tools, they need to deal with the challenges brought by climate change.
Climate change presents serious obstacles to poultry farming in East Africa. The changing weather patterns, like hotter temperatures and less predictable rainfall, make it tough for farmers to raise chickens. However, farmers are not giving up. They’re coming up with clever solutions to tackle these challenges.
One way they do this is by teaming up and sharing ideas. When farmers share what works for them, everyone can benefit. Additionally, governments are making rules and programs to support poultry farmers. These rules might help with things like getting better equipment or protecting the environment.
Moreover, investing in new ways to deal with climate change is crucial. For instance, finding ways to save water or keeping chickens in cooler environments can help them stay healthy even when it’s hot outside. Teaching farmers these new methods is also important. NGOs are stepping in to provide training and resources to help farmers adapt to changing conditions.
In the end, by working together, investing wisely, and sharing knowledge, East Africa can keep its poultry farming industry strong despite the challenges of a changing climate.
