This project has established a Newcastle disease vaccination program which has made a huge difference to people’s ability to raise poultry. We have trained and supported over 70 community based vaccinators who now have the wherewithal to vaccinate the village chickens in theirs and neighbouring villages. The benefits of this enterprise are clearly reflected in the eyes of the chicken owners themselves who see the protection offered by the vaccine and come looking for more when they feel their chickens are again at risk. The Newcastle disease vaccination component has reduced loss in vaccinated flocks from 60% to 12%.
What are we doing?
- Foster widespread government and community commitment to village poultry;
- Collaborate and liaise with other NGOs (Small Scale Livestock and Livelihood Program, InterAide, Land O-Lakes, Concern Worldwide and Peace Corps) and the Malawi Government’s Livestock Department through the provision of training materials and technical support for delivering poultry health programs for small-scale farmers;
- Advocate for the smallholder poultry sector in Malawi;
- Improve control of Newcastle disease and other sources of loss through supporting the stability and sustainability of the government’s I-2 Newcastle disease vaccine production unit at the Central Veterinary Laboratory;
- Promote training and education at all levels, in smallholder poultry and related subjects through continued programs for training community based poultry technicians, striving for equal numbers of men and women;
- Serve as a focus for a network of individuals and institutions who are involved with village poultry in Malawi;
- Serve as a small but significant local centre of excellence on the village poultry sector;
- Undertake basic field research on health, production and marketing of village poultry;
- Promote measures to improve the health and production of village poultry; and
- Evaluate and optimise the potential of rural poultry genetic resources.
More importantly, why?
Improved nutrition through increased consumption of poultry meat and eggs
Increased income from the sale of poultry and/or eggs/poultry services
Increased production of chicken manure used on crops and vegetable gardens
Improved income generation for community vaccinators
Women’s empowerment through increased income earning potential with a sustainable small business solution
Will this work contribute to ongoing change?
On this question, we have no doubt. By working to support community based people, we ensure that we strengthen rather than replace local skills. We partner with rural communities to improve their livelihoods.
We know from our field surveys that one of the best ways to improve village chicken production is to prevent Newcastle disease. In our survey work, we found that losses from this disease were five times as high in households which do not vaccinate. That’s why we focus on giving community based vaccinators the means to ensure that all poultry owners in theirs and neighbouring villages have access to vaccine.
Kyeema and RPC are also working in close collaboration with Malawi government partners to ensure they play an enabling role for long-term success through ensuring reliable and sustainable production of the Newcastle disease vaccine.
We are also measuring our outcomes against indicators set out for the specific globally recognised sustainable development goals for 2030.
CHICKENS FOR CHANGE
Donate to this project nominating with #Malawi to help Kyeema continue to work with RPC Malawi to improve local economy and food and nutrition security in Malawi.
We have committed to contribute $1 for every $5 we receive from the Australian government towards this project. Your donation will allow us to extend this project.
