POULTRY FARMING AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE POULTRY FARMERS IN THE DORMAA MUNICIPALITY, GHANA.

Abstract

This thesis is an assessment of how poultry farming enhances the livelihood of small and medium scale poultry farmers in the Dormaa Municipality. In the Developing World, the rearing of Poultry by local communities has been practiced for many generations and almost all ethnic groups tend to be involved in it. However, how Poultry farming enhances the livelihood of small and medium scale poultry farmers is not well understood. To address this research issue, a mixed research methodology, involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed for studying poultry farmers. A survey was conducted and complemented with in depth interviews and observations for data collection. The study revealed that, the main poultry production system is the deep litter. Also, these small and medium scale poultry farmers have experienced continuous growth in their capital assets. particularly physical, social, financial, natural and human capital. This has led to improvements in living conditions of farmers. Farmers have derived positive and improved livelihood outcomes in such areas as in education, health, shelter, rood security, income and savings. Abuever. some challenges undermine the growth of the industry, These challenges and constraints facing the poultry industry included high and rising cost of inputs, reliable source of quality day old chicks, lack of flexible source of funding, and poor farm management practices, The following recommendations are put forward for further improving production and livelihood outcomes of farmers: increasing access to loans and the adoption of modem farming and management practices for improving operational efficiency.