A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the influence of farmers’ trait preferences and breeding practices on local chicken genetic resource conservation in Igunga District, Tabora Region of Tanzania. The study used proportionate random sampling to obtain 384 respondents in ten study villages within two wards. Data were collected through a household survey, key informant interviews (n=5), and focus group discussions (n=10). Descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage and frequencies are used to present the findings. Chi-square establishes the association between variables. The relative importance indices (RII) model determines the level of importance of preferred local chicken traits. The findings indicates that natural mating and slaughter of the chickens with undesirable characteristics as main breeding methods and are statistically significant in between the two wards (p<0.05). Furthermore, findings show that Kuchi is the most preferred local chicken ecotype due to its large body weight and size. Findings on RII on breeding hen indicates that hen egg number with RII=0.9 as the most preferred trait (first rank) followed by hatchability with RII=0.87 (second rank) and mothering behavior with RII =0.86 (third rank). Furthermore, the cock body size ranks first with RII=0.9 followed by cock weight as a second rank with RII = 0.86 and cock disease resistance which ranks third with RII=0.85. Government officials affirm that local chickens are more resilient to diseases than other breeds. The local chicken traders contend that the market value of the local chickens depends on large body weight or frame and plumage color whereas farmers confirm that the preferred breed and traits is focused on economic motives. The study suggests that characterization of local chickens is an important step prior to setting strategies for breeding, utilization and conservation of the resources.

No abstract

This study aimed at determining the extent to which the smallholder tree growers benefit from tree growing activities. It strove to accomplish the following: (i) analyse costs and benefits associated with tree growing activities; (ii) determine profitability indices; and (iii) assess economic status of respondents in the study area. Stratified random sampling technique was used to draw respondents. Mixed research methods for data collection were employed: household survey using semistructured questionnaire, key informants’ interviews, focus group discussions, and researcher’s direct observation. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel computer programmes. Profitability was analysed by gross profit margin (GPM) and return on investment (ROI). Findings suggested that tree growing activities are profitable with GPM of 21% and ROI of 26%. ANOVA results showed no statistical difference within study districts between tree growers and non-tree growers. The possible explanation of this situation could be that tree growers have not invested much the benefits they get from tree growing into asset endowment. ANOVA results on household income revealed a similar pattern except in Njombe DC where there was a statistical significant difference in household income between tree growers and non-tree growers (F (1, 64) = 5.989, P = 0.017 ). The effect size of the difference is medium (Eta = 0.08). It is concluded that tree growing activities in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania are economically profitable.