Women have a crucial role in the poultry farming industry in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, contributing to numerous dimensions of its operations. They oversee the care of chickens, operate farms, and produce eggs in large numbers, which gives an important boost to household nutrition and local markets. In these countries, women are highly ambitious; many own and operate poultry businesses, ranging from processing poultry products to selling chicks and feed. Women are essential to Ugandan indigenous chicken farming, which preserves traditional breeds and enhances the food security of households. Similar to this, women actively participate in commercial and smallholder chicken farming in Tanzania, which benefits farm management, business, and household food security.
The fact that women are involved in poultry farming in these East African nations demonstrates their drive, creative thinking, and commitment toward improving their standard of life and nutritional results for their people.
The following is a summary of the essential roles that women in the poultry farming industry in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda play to create resilience.
- Farm Governance and Responsibilities
In all three countries, women take an active part in the
everyday activities of chicken farms, coordinating duties including feeding, watering, and disease prevention. Their hands-on approach guarantees the health and welfare of the flock of chickens, so boosting the farms’ overall production and prosperity. Women display remarkable competence along with dedication in the management of chicken farms, whether they are overseeing backyard operations or huge business endeavors.
- Raising Chickens in Indigenous Ways
Women contribute to the raising of native chicken breeds in Tanzania and Uganda, given that the chickens have adapted to their surroundings. Because of their hardiness and capacity for growth in rural environments, these old breeds are prized. In order to maintain genetic diversity and improve the food security of their households, women frequently take care of native chicken flocks by using traditional wisdom and management practices. Raising chickens on-site helps rural households become more resistant to food insecurity and increases nutrition outcomes through providing a sustainable and rapidly accessible source of protein.
- Nutrition and Food Security in the Households
Increasing the level of household food security and nutrition is an outstanding contribution made by women in the poultry farming industry. For their families, women provide a consistent supply of protein along with essential nutrients by raising and selling chicken items like eggs and meat. A sustainable and accessible way to improve nutritional outcomes and supplement diets, poultry farming fits in well with household food systems, especially in marginalized and rural areas.
Notably in Kenya, where women account for 70% of the poultry farming industry, producing high-quality eggs for human consumption and raising broilers for meat, according to 2009 research provided by Cencus.
4. Capital Formation and Entrepreneurship
In Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, women’s role in the poultry industry is significantly influenced by their attempts to become entrepreneurs. As business owners, a lot of women have gotten into the poultry farming industry, taking advantage of chances to make money and support regional economic growth. Women-run poultry companies are essential to generating jobs
and promoting economic progress, especially in rural regions. They sell day-old chicks and poultry feed, maintain egg delivery networks, and process poultry products.
The high percentage of unemployment in east African nations is being lowered by the large number of women who work as self-employed workers full-time in chicken farming.
Each of these East African countries Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania has implemented various initiatives and programs to support women in poultry farming, recognizing their significant contributions to the agricultural sector and the broader economy. Here’s a glimpse of how each government has supported women in poultry farming:
(i)Training and Extension Services
(ii)Financial Access
(iii)Women Empowerment Programs
Access to Markets
In conclusion, women contribute significantly to the prosperity and sustainable growth of the chicken farming industry in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Women’s contributions to economic growth, job creation, and household food security come from their work in farm management, entrepreneurship, and raising indigenous chickens. In order to create inclusive and resilient agricultural systems that benefit communities and advance sustainable development throughout East Africa, it is fundamental to acknowledge and support the contributions made by women in the poultry farming industry.
