The chicken industry in East Africa has been growing steadily with production increasing by more than 3% annually. In Uganda, the average annual production growth rate is estimated at 1.2%. The increase is due to its affordability and status as a healthier source of animal protein (white meat). Climate change is having both direct and indirect effects on the chicken enterprises.
In response to these challenges, the National Agricultural Research Organizations’ (NARO) Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MUZARDI), in collaboration with Gudie Leisure Farm, a private company, and the University of Burundi, are implementing the Greening the Chicken Value Chain project, funded by the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation under the Grand Challenges for Africa.
One of the objectives of the project is to strengthen multi-stakeholder coordination platforms (MSCPs) along the chicken value chain in the Central region of Uganda and Burundi by bringing together climate change evidence producers, adopters and influencers. Target stakeholders were engaged at district, and national levels to discuss challenges, share knowledge, and prioritize climate-resilient solutions for different climate scenarios. In Uganda, district MSCPs were held in June and July 2024 in Lwengo, Masaka, Luwero and Kampala Metropolitan involving youth agribusiness owners, extension service, Environmentalists and community leaders.
On 14th November 2024, a National multi-stakeholder engagement was held at MUZARDI, Mukono district, bringing together youth poultry farmers, feed producers, transporters, marketers, processors, together with environmentalists, national extension service, policymakers and researchers to discuss strategies for improving the poultry value chain. A similar national multi-stakeholder meeting was held at University of Burundi in Bujumbura, on 10 December 2024.
During the meetings, the project’s Principal Investigator, Dr Barbara M. Zawedde, remarked that that while many youth in Uganda and Burundi have invested along the chicken value chain as a feasible source of income and employment, many are disappointed by the low output many times caused by the ever-changing climate. “The partnership between the University of Burundi, Gudie Leisure Farm, and Mukono ZARDI will support youth to identify and uptake climate resilient innovations.” said Dr Barbara
In Uganda, stakeholders discussed existing gaps in the poultry value chain, particularly concerning feed availability, biosecurity, and access to quality of breeds. Some of the climate-smart innovations showed included solar incubators, solar brooders, use of black soldier fly as alternative protein sources, recycling of plastics, alternative uses of chicken wastes, digital tools for better coordination to mention a few. Dr. Jackson Mubiru, a representative of NAGRIC&DB emphasized the role of young entrepreneurs in shaping the future of poultry production in Uganda. Dr. Imelda Kashaija, while representing the Director General, NARO, commended MUZARDI for bringing youth innovators to exhibit, such as Paul Ariko a student of Kyambogo University, who is utilizing plastic waste to make equipment such as egg trays, low-cost drinkers, feeders etc.
In Burundi, the MSCP meeting focused on strengthening partnerships and mapping stakeholders across the poultry sector. The engagement revealed critical challenges, including high feed costs, inconsistent supply chains, and limited access to veterinary services. Stakeholders emphasized the need for improved coordination between private sector players and policymakers to create an enabling environment and regulatory framework for the poultry value chain in the country. Both meetings agreed to strengthen collaboration amongst value chain players by establishing multi-stakeholder coordination platforms to continue the dialogue, first by using social media platforms like WhatsApp to follow up on agreed actions. Participants agreed that the success of these MSCPs will depend on the willingness and commitment of different actors to work together.