Socio-economic characteristics of poultry production in lowland and midland agro-ecological zones of central Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to explore the socio-economic characteristics of poultry production in lowland and
midland agro-ecological zones of central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Two districts were selected using
systematic random sampling method from midland and lowland agro-ecology. Out of the total chicken
keepers in the area 160 sample farmers, 80 from each district were selected randomly using lottery method.
Data like purpose of chicken production, social and cultural value of chickens, labour division and ownership
and use pattern were collected and analyzed using JMP5 (SAS, 2002). The main purpose of chicken rearing in
the area was for meat consumption followed by egg production. There was significant difference (P<0.01) in
production purpose between the households living in lowland and midland agro-ecology. The proportion of
ownership in the family of male and female headed households was significantly different (P<0.05) in both
agro-ecologies. In male headed households decisions like home consumption of chickens (65%) was done by
the husband. In lowland 91.2% of the respondents and 78.7% in midland agro-ecology gave especial focus to
Finding of the Cross day festivity than other festivals to slaughter chickens for sacrifice. Chicken meat
consumption was significantly higher (P<0.0001) in lowland than midland agro-ecology. It was also higher in
male headed households (P<0.001) than in female headed households but egg consumption was significantly
higher (P<0.05) in female headed households than male headed households. Backyard poultry production in
Ethiopia plays an important role in the economy, nutritional and socio-cultural values in the livelihoods of the
rural households.