The profitability and contribution of indigenous chicken production towards improving household well-being in Lusikisiki

Abstract

This paper investigates the profitability and contribution of Indigenous Chicken (IC) production towards improving households' well-being. The main data was composed from 120 growers using purposive technique. The data was examined using descriptive statistics, gross margin and logistic regression. Descriptive outcomes revealed that chicken farming is mostly practiced by females (70%) with an average age of 60 years and who have spent at least 10 years in school. The Ovambo breed (58%) is mostly kept by households, through the free-range system. IC production was profitable with USD 98.0096, which contributed to households' well-being. Logistic regression reveals that household size, production system, years in school, extension services, and capital and farm experience were found to influence the profitability of indigenous chicken production. It is recommended that the Department of Agriculture and NGOs should promote chicken production through project innovations such as local chicken projects and extension services, so to improve households' well-being.