The World Poultry Foundation (WPF) is bringing a much-needed boost to small-scale poultry farmers with a brand new set of training materials. These resources aim to equip these individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to not only improve their farming practices but also significantly increase their income potential.
The WPF specifically targets farmers who start small, often raising just a handful of chickens in their backyards. Over time, these farmers may expand their flocks, transitioning from subsistence farming to producing chicken meat and eggs for sale alongside what they consume at home.
The newly released training materials are designed as user-friendly visual guides, making them ideal for populations with lower literacy rates. Each module focuses on a core principle of poultry rearing, covering essential topics like housing, health, water and feed management, and even business planning. By following these guidelines, small-scale producers can expect to see improvements in their flock’s productivity, ultimately leading to a more nutritious diet for their families.
“Small-scale poultry producers are the backbone of local food systems in rural areas,” explains Randall Ellis, CEO of the WPF. “They play a critical role in ensuring access to affordable, high-quality protein through their production of chicken meat and eggs.” Ellis emphasizes that the training materials were developed specifically with these rural farmers in mind. The highly visual format caters to those with lower literacy skills, while the content provides practical recommendations tailored to low-resource settings.
Furthermore, farmers and organizations can access these tools for free. This pledge to open access demonstrates the WPF’s commitment to creating inclusive and sustainable poultry value chains that benefit all stakeholders, including farmers and consumers.
An emphasis on avian welfare is central to these new toolkits. The materials teach farmers how to properly feed, hydrate, and care for their flocks. This, in turn, leads to healthier birds, increased productivity, and, eventually, a profitable chicken company for farmers.
The training instructions also encourage the usage of dual-purpose poultry breeds. These disease-resistant hens can be farmed for both meat and eggs, giving farmers more freedom and the possibility for increased income.
By providing these extensive and easily accessible instructional tools, the WPF enables small-scale poultry farmers to not only better their livelihoods but also greatly contribute to their communities’ general health and well-being.
