1. OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING RURAL POULTRY AND PIG PRODUCTION: Assessment of AfricaRISING Phase 1 Projects and Options for Phase 2
Dei H.K.
UDS, Tamale

2. Introduction
Rearing of poultry and pigs at the village level has been practised over the years for various reasons:

3. Poultry Pigs Occasional source of meat/eggs for food Income generation
Cultural purposes (e.g. gifts, dowry, etc)
Pigs
Occasional source of meat for food
Largely income generation

4. Food security Poverty alleviation
Over the past two decades, rural poultry production and pig production have been recognised by rural development agencies as major contributors to:
Food security
Poverty alleviation

5. Therefore, attempts have been made by MoFA, NGOs and donor agencies to improve village level production.
However, interventions by these organizations yielded little positive results due to paucity of scientific research on management problems that bedeviled the rural livestock sector.
It is in the light of this that the Africa RISING Project was undertaken to address research related problems identified in crop-livestock systems in Ghana in order to boost agricultural production on sustainable basis at the village level so that it can contribute more to the national economy.

6. Objectives
To review Phase 1 Projects involving poultry and pig production at the village level in northern Ghana.
To identify viable options for scaling
up in Phase 2 Projects based on
Phase 1 findings.

7. PHASE 1 PROJECTS (SURVEY)
ACHIEVEMENTS
LESSONS
1. Baseline survey of rural poultry production in northern Ghana
Obtained comprehensive data on rural poultry/pig production
Potential for food security
Potential for income generation
Need to improve management practices to increase productivity
2. Baseline survey of rural pig production in northern Ghana

8. PHASE 1 PROJECTS (FEEDING)
ACHIEVEMENTS
LESSONS
1. Raw False Yam Tuber in pig diet
Partial replacement of maize in poultry/pig diets.
Increased profits.
Locally available non-conventional feedstuffs can be incorporated in poultry diets to reduce dependency on maize.
Need to encourage farmers to use NCFs.
2. Soaked False Yam Tuber in pig diet
3. Boiled False yam tuber in pig diet
4. Soaked False Yam Seed in g.f. diet
5. Boiled False Yam Seed in g.f. diet
6. Pito mash in guinea fowl diet
7. Groundnut vines in local pig diet

9. PHASE 1 PROJECTS (HOUSING)
ACHIEVEMENTS
LESSONS
Intensive rearing of cockerels
Supply of eggs versus brooded guinea fowls at 9- and 12-wk of age to farmers
Improved growth of birds in confinement.
Reduced mortality of birds in confinement.
Increased profits from brooded birds.
Housing of birds improved productivity.
Feeding birds with balanced diet was economical.
Improved farmer knowledge.

10. PUBLICATIONS FROM PHASE 1 PROJECTS
Dei, H.K., Bosoma, J. and Tumbulto, R. (2015). Partial replacement of maize with processed false yam (Icacina oliviformis) seed meals in guinea fowl diets. UDS International Journal of Development, 1(1):36-41.
Dei, H.K., Alenyorege, B., Okai, D.B. and Larbi, A. (2014). Enhanced rural poultry production in crop-livestock systems in northern Ghana: effect of improved housing and management on growth performance of chickens. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science, 8 (1):
Dei, H.K., Mohammed, S. and Adarkwa, D.K. (2014). Effect of partial replacement of maize with dry “pito” mash on growth performance of guinea fowl and growing layer chickens. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science, 8 (1):

11. PUBLICATIONS FROM PHASE 1 PROJECTS
Dei H.K., Alenyorege, B., Apalibe, D. A., Okai, D.B. and Larbi, A. (2014). Assessment of rural poultry production in northern Ghana. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science, 8 (1):
Dei, H.K., Amewonye, M., Getse, F., Mbimadong, J., Alenyorege, B., Sarpong, P., Avornyo, F. and Karbo, N. (2013). Effect of replacing maize with processed false yam tuber meals on growth performance of Ashanti Black Pig. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science, 7 (2):
Dei, H.K. and Larbi, A. (2016). Sustainable intensification of rural poultry rearing in Ghana’s Guinea savanna: Constraints and opportunities identified with local communities. IITA report. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria. 13 pp.

12. STUDENTS WHO BENEFITED FROM PHASE 1 PROJECTS in UDS
6 BSc.
3 poultry projects
3 pig projects
2 MPhil.
1 poultry project
1 pig project

13. OPTIONS FOR PHASE 2 PROJECTS
Development of prototype houses for poultry/pigs.
Development of Solar incubators/brooders.
On-station breeding of guinea fowls for sale to farmers.
On-station breeding of local pigs for sale to farmers.
Development of feeding packages using NCFs for rural poultry/pigs.
Testing efficacy of potential ethno-drugs.

14. Conclusion
There is potential for producing poultry and pigs at the village level in northern Ghana for sustainable income and family nutrition.
There are production constraints which must be addressed to make production sustainable in the prevailing crop-livestock systems.
Africa RISING project interventions in the PHASE 2 PROJECT communities would have positive impacts on livelihoods of rural farmers through improved productivity and profitability of poultry and pig production

15. THANK YOU