One of our core programmatic focuses is enhancing the nutrition, health, and livelihoods of small-scale farmers. Over the past year, we extended our support to 39,366 individuals worldwide, leading to measurable improvements in their quality of life.
Newcastle disease control
We collaborate with governments, NGOs, and businesses to produce and distribute the I-2 vaccine for Newcastle disease in poultry. Our goal is to ensure affordable access for village chicken owners, thereby strengthening local economies and supporting the growth of household chicken flocks for food security and climate resilience.
In Ethiopia, Malawi, and Mozambique, we support the adoption of Newcastle disease control through a community vaccinator model. This model empowers community members as community animal health workers, ensuring regular vaccination to control outbreaks while providing them with income-earning opportunities. This initiative plays a critical role in reducing the impact of the disease and promoting healthier, more productive flocks.
Improving village chicken health and production in rural communities
Our programs in Mozambique, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) work directly with rural households to strengthen village chicken flocks, delivering both nutrition and livelihood benefits. Village chickens are a critical asset for women and rural communities, offering both health and economic benefits. We receive generous support to implement this work from the Australian Government through various programs.
Papua New Guinea
In PNG, the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) supports village chicken farming as an alternative source of protein. This reduces dependence on overfishing and other environmentally damaging practices, complementing our ongoing efforts to restore coastal ecosystems. Raising and selling chickens also offers improved income generation opportunities, helping families cover essential household costs like food, medical care, and school fees.
Ethiopia
In 2024, Kyeema Ethiopia, with backing from the Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program (DAP), launched a project aimed at helping people with disabilities in Addis Ababa establish small village chicken flocks. Village chickens are well-suited for those with disabilities due to their small size and low maintenance needs, offering both a sustainable income source and improved family nutrition. This initiative empowers individuals with disabilities to overcome barriers to livestock keeping, providing them with a source of income and protein for their households.
Mozambique
In Mozambique, our ANCP project focuses on marginalized rural women through a semi-intensive production model. Women are equipped with breeding units and sell chicks to others who fatten them for market sales. This system strengthens local economies and promotes long-term food and nutrition security, while empowering women to take an active role in improving their livelihoods. By participating in the poultry value chain, these women gain greater economic independence, contributing to local sustainable development solutions.