How resource poor households value and access poultry: Village poultry keeping in Tigray, Ethiopia

This study examines the role of poultry in the livelihoods of rural households and the ownership of poultry and related technology in three locations with different market access in Tigray, Ethiopia. The study employed multiple methods such as individual and group open interviews, a cross-sectional stratified random survey of 180 households, and farm recording of 131 households. Rural poultry significantly contributed to the livelihoods of poor households: economically as starter capital, as a means to recover from disasters, as an accessible protein source and for disposable income and exchange purposes, and socio-culturally for mystical functions, hospitality and exchange of gifts to strengthen social relationships. Relatively wealthy households with good market access had significantly more poultry than those in remote areas and the relatively poor. Male-headed households kept larger flocks than female-headed households. The poorest households acquired poultry through poultry sharing. This did not need cash but required building a social network to access poultry. The practice of poultry sharing provided evidence that village poultry played important roles in the livelihoods of poor households. Understanding the interaction of technical aspects with the social context forms the basis for identifying target groups to enhance households’ benefits from poultry keeping. The development of village poultry should not be considered as merely solving technical problems but rather as addressing livelihood issues.