Current Status of Family Poultry Production in Togo

In terms of Togo's socioeconomic development, agriculture is crucial. About 54% of the working-age population has access to employment through it, and it generates 40% of the nation's overall GDP (GDP). Agricultural households make up 95.8% of all households, and 70.1% of them also simultaneously raise animals. FP is still very important in poor nations, notably those in Africa and Asia, even though there have been significant efforts to expand the poultry sub-sector.

The ability of native poultry breeds to withstand difficult environmental circumstances and subpar husbandry practices without suffering a major reduction in productivity is one of their most crucial and desired traits. Although FP production is expanding quickly in Togo, information on FP practices is lacking. Consequently, this study aimed to obtain information on FP practices in Togo. In the five economic areas of Togo, a field survey was conducted over 45 days in January and February of 2016.

Data for this study were gathered in the field by qualified researchers. Sometimes the use of translators was necessary due to the difficulty of speaking the native tongue. SPSS/PC and Microsoft Access 2013 were used to analyse the data. Following the findings, 55.24% of respondents profited from extension services, and 81.38% of respondents said they were happy with the assistance they received.

Only half of the respondents were found to be covered by extension services. Gueye stated that poultry ownership is a result of a society's social, cultural, and religious contexts in most rural areas of Africa.

The findings of the breed selection criteria in the current study are in line with previous findings in the Philippines, where live weight was the most crucial factor to consider before plumage colour.

The findings of the current study are consistent with previous research that disease was the primary concern among Ethiopian farmers to flock loss (63.8% of FP losses). Newcastle disease can cause >70% flock mortality in the absence of prior exposure or prophylactic vaccination.

The current study identifies significant limitations in the state of FP production in Togo today. Researchers should keep concentrating on disease control to lower mortality, shelter improvement, production performance, demands for extension services, and capacity building to give knowledge about management methods and teach farmers relevant technology.

JOURNALS REFERENCE

E. Talaki, K.F.X. Dzogbema, Y. Adjrah and K. Tona, 2020. Current Status of Family Poultry Production in Togo. Int. J. Poult. Sci., 19: 568-576.