Filomena dos Anjos and Robyn Alders (Mozambique) - Family poultry plays a key role in rural Mozambique where two thirds of the population lives in absolute poverty. Examples are given of three programmes that promote poverty alleviation and food security through improved production of family poultry:

1. The control of Newcastle disease in village chickens
2. The cooperative production of broilers in peri-urban areas of Maputo
3. Characterization of local chicken ecotypes.

Most of the rural population is involved with agriculture. Mixed farming (crop production and livestock raising) is most common. Rural households grow food and cash crops and generally have a small surplus for sale. Approximately 70% of the 3 million rural families in Mozambique raise chickens, around 30% raise goats, 20% ducks and pigs, and only 4% are cattle owners, and rabbit owners comprise 3% (GRM International 2001). Of all the livestock species, chickens are most likely to be cared for and owned by women.

Chickens are possibly the major livestock contributors to the diet in the family sector. They also play a major role in poverty alleviation and food security at the household level. There are no barriers to chicken meat consumption (religious or otherwise; although in some areas the consumption of eggs by women and children is prohibited) and so they are the most common source of protein of animal origin. They constitute an income source, are used for rituals, assist with pest control and supply manure.

Research has revealed that Newcastle disease (ND) is the major constraint to chicken production in rural areas, causing moralities of 50 to 100% of birds annually (Mavale 1995).

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Aichi Kitalyi (Kenya) - I would also want to add that there is need for more concerted efforts on improving family poultry production (egg and chickens) through addressing the major constraints namely, predators, diseases and preferential treatment for chicks, because to some households these products may be the only accessible source and very crucial in improving nutrition/health status of HIV/AIDs victims as well as those who are on TB treatment.

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Family poultry development in Mozambique currently focuses on the control of ND in rural areas, the distribution of crossbred chickens and the production of broilers in peri-urban areas of the capital city, Maputo.

The implementation of an effective ND control program in Mozambique has resulted in increased chicken numbers, increased household purchasing power, increased home consumption of chicken products and increased decision-making power for women (Bagnol 2001). Despite the need to control ND in village chickens, it has been difficult to achieve a sustainable control program. Experience has shown that a sustainable ND control program is composed of four essential components: an appropriate vaccine and vaccine technology; effective extension materials and methodologies that target NGO, veterinary and extension staff as well as community vaccinators and farmers; simple evaluation and monitoring systems of both technical and socio-economic indicators; and economic sustainability based on the commercialisation of the vaccine and vaccination services and the marketing of surplus chickens and eggs.

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Peri-urban production of broilers
The General Union of Cooperatives in Maputo (UGC) has a total of 5,500 members, 95% of whom are women (UGC 2001). It has been assisting members in the production of broilers in peri-urban areas. In 2001, over 2,000,000 broilers were produced. Groups wishing to produce broilers initially receive a loan to enable the construction of a poultry house, provision of a water source and equipment (feeders, drinkers, etc). The loan is granted without any collateral and its repayment, including interest, usually takes 6 to 7 years.

After beneficiaries receive basic training in poultry raising techniques and elementary rules of business management, the UGC provides credit in the form of the necessary production inputs (day old chicks, feed, poultry extension and veterinary assistance). At the end of the production cycle (6 weeks), the ’commercialisation brigadesė collect the broilers and send them to the abattoir or to the live bird market.

All details are recorded and once the birds are sold, the accounts are done. The credit provided for the chicks, etc is repaid and of the gross profit (the difference between sales revenues and production costs), 50% is used to repay the initial loan and the remaining 50% is handed to the producers. In the case of a producer experiencing a loss, UGC will reschedule the loan provided that adequate justification is given.

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The characterisation of local chicken ecotypes
The characterisation of local chicken ecotypes is underway as is the development of a breed of laying hens suitable for egg production in peri-urban areas. The Italian Government, through the FAO, is financing a project entitled ’Establishment of long term support to the rural village family poultry sector.ė The project was developed to support rural families who suffered losses during the floods in 2000. With the assistance of the Veterinary Medicine Faculty and NGOs, the project will distribute village-adapted chickens imported from South Africa (Ovambo, Venda, Naked Neck and Koekoek breeds).

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K Benabdeljelil (Morocco) - I personally believe that this approach to specific development issues e.g., Bangladesh model with its apparent numerous successes, in one part of the world should not be a stereotype to be copied elsewhere. It has to be tested adapted, adjusted modified to fit the needs of the local populations involved.

I am sorry if my participation takes us back to some previously cited issues reported by other participants. We should be able to define regional objectives, development priorities focusing on local needs rather than copying all the components and findings of models developed elsewhere. I agree with many colleagues who found the model was rather complicated to develop and to implement, even when simplified.

Selection of participants is one of the first obstacles, defining the base line is another etc. Population participation in small animals production is another in some regions. It is also true that a package of appropriate practical technologies has not been reported for the presented model.

We should also bear in mind that the primary objective of Family Poultry systems is to produce animal proteins. In the case of several areas we are still far away from the effects of raising few chicken on health and environment. A lengthy discussion concerned health hazards, which are certainly very important but not the main focus of the conference.

I will appreciate on another hand sharing experiences in the area of feeds and feeding (strategies, evaluation programs, research methodologies to assess supplies and needs in these systems).

Frands Dolberg - I read you comments with a lot of agreement. However, I think that a primary condition for the success in Bangladesh is a political/administrative climate, which - after all - allowed the presence of NGOs. Otherwise people would not be reached.

I would say the same to Mamadou Sangare, while - of course - it is very helpful to also have committed people at village level.

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