Factors affecting productivity of layer chicken enterprises among farmers in Kira municipal council, Wakiso district.

Abstract

Livestock sector is the fastest growing agricultural sub-sector globally employing 1.3billion people. In Uganda, livestock sector contributes 3.2% to the national GDP and is projected to be rising. Although not well developed, the poultry sector has grown from backyard poultry keeping operation to a more commercial-oriented system. Despite the numerous efforts to develop a commercial intensive poultry production system, most poultry are still kept by smallholder farmers in less intensive systems, largely based on the indigenous chicken breeds, hence realizing less productivity than expected one. This research study was conducted on the smallholder layer chicken bird farmers in Kira municipality-wakiso district, and the major study objective was to determine the factors influencing productivity of layer chicken birds in this area. Descriptive statistics, Feed conversation ratio and Log linear regression analysis were the methods used in analyzing the data collected from the sample of 60 respondents. The productivity of layer birds was calculated using the Feed conversion Ratio which is a standard measure of productivity in laying birds. And the various factors with significant influence on the productivity of layers were determined using the log linear regression model. The results obtained showed that, the FCR of the layer birds in this area was about 3.6, which is within the standard range of FCRs of laying birds which is 2.5 to 4.0. Results from log linear regression showed that the factors which significantly influenced the productivity of layer birds in Kira municipality were, the farmers’ level of education, farming experience of the layer bird farmer, age of the layer bird and the use of concentrate feeds. Conclusion of the study included that, the layer farmers in Kira municipality still have opportunities of increasing the productivity of their layers, which can be done through using concentrates, and other proper management practices. Recommendations made following the results of the study included, policy makers should strengthen the provision of education services to layer bird farmers sine it had a positive and significant coefficient. Another recommendation was about sensitizing and subsidizing layer bird farmers by the government about the use of modern farming methods (use of concentrates) which will enable them to achieve an optimal productivity possible. Lastly, I recommended poultry to specialize in the layer bird farming so that they can again experience. Farming experience had a positive coefficient and significant relationship with the productivity of layers.