Description

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the socioeconomic impact of the Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza Control Research Project, a chicken vaccination project designed by the GL-CRSP Avian Flu School (AFS), on villagers and households in rural Iringa, Tanzania. Findings showed that households in project villages kept significantly more chickens than households in control villages, however, there was no significant difference in income earned from chicken and egg sales between the project and control households. Likewise, no significant difference in the frequency of chicken consumption among mothers and children from project and control village households was found, yet both mothers and children from project village households consumed eggs more frequently than mothers and children from control village households. Women in project villages reported higher measures of empowerment, as well as a trend towards less household food insecurity. Interestingly, measures of support for the vaccination of chickens were greater in control villages than in project villages. In conclusion, an intervention as simple and inexpensive as vaccinating chickens for Newcastle disease can have a beneficial impact on the livelihoods and well-being of women, children and resource-poor farmers. To enable farmers to attain these benefits, policymakers and development practitioners can establish vaccination programs, facilitate farmers’ access to vaccines and markets for chickens and eggs, and provide training and education programs on the best practices for chicken production along with the nutritive value of consuming poultry, eggs and other animal source foods.