An Economic Analysis of the Factors Influencing Poultry Eggs Production and Marketing in Rwanda: A Case of Musanze District

Abstract

Purpose: As in many other developing countries, in Rwanda poultry farming is a very important component of livelihoods, especially in rural areas. However, poultry farming does not receive the attention it deserves and requires, probably because of a lack of understanding about the role that poultry plays in poor households. The major objective of this study was to analyse poultry eggs production and marketing in Rwanda. A case of Musanze district.

Methodology: A Cross-sectional data from rural households and communities were collected using survey methods while multistage and purposive sampling were used in study. The proportional selected method was used to make a desired sample size of 85 respondents. An econometric model was employed to identify factors influencing poultry eggs production and marketing through Cobb Douglas(C-D) production function and Multiple Regression was employed to analyse data. The results indicated that the majority of respondents sell poultry eggs at local market followed by those who sell at national market.

Findings: The result of the regression analysis showed that water availability, space reserved to poultry, educational level, experience, and veterinary services were significant at P ≤ 0.01 level to influence poultry eggs production and marketing. Money received from selling poultry production usually improve household to solve different need through Source of HH food,  Increased income, House utensil1, School fees, Clothes of HH members, Mutuelle de sant, Malnutrition control, Personal expenses, Friendship, House rehabilitation, and other respectively. The results also showed that factors facing poultry farmers in their production and market in this study were at first place diseases, land tenure, high cost of adequate feeds etc., as the most superior role of poultry is provision of eggs, meat as a source of money and good nutrition.

Recommendation: Consumption of poultry meat and eggs is important for pregnant women, children and the elderly malnutrition control.  Therefore, policy makers should elaborate the manner that should improve and increase poultry production in both quality and quantity for long the run as well as to reduce poverty, end hunger, achieve food security through sustainable agriculture and livestock production and productivity.