Prospects of quality protein maize as feed for indigenous chickens in Zimbabwe: A review

Abstract

Indigenous chickens (IC) play an important role in African rural household settings, particularly in improving their livelihoods. However, IC production is characterised by low productivity due to poor quality and quantity of feed, compounded by poor management practises. This dire situation is aggravated by the fact that IC are raised under extensive systems, supplemented with meagre grain supplements. They are a hardy poultry species and as a result most farmers assume that their nutritional requirements can be met through scavenging. To the contrary, analysis of crop contents has shown that IC nutritional intake levels are often below optimum for production. To enhance the productivity of IC, there is urgent need to explore the use of alternative nutritionally rich feed stuffs. One of such ingredients is Quality Protein Maize (QPM). Quality protein maize contains elevated levels of lysine and tryptophan, compared to non-QPM. The objective of this article is to review the prospects of QPM as feed for IC, through a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis. Due to its superior nutritional quality, QPM has the potential to enhance growth rate, carcass characteristics and immunity of indigenous chickens. However, QPM is still a new technology in Zimbabwe; most farmers are not aware of its existence. There is, therefore, need for policies and infrastructural adjustments to promote its widespread adoption. Furthermore, there is need for feeding trials as they provide concrete evidence of the benefits of this kind of maize.

Marker-assisted pyramiding of lycopene-ε-cyclase, β-carotene hydroxylase1 and opaque2 genes for development of biofortified maize hybrids

“…Later on, breeding o2 mutants with hard vitreous kernels and retaining the high lysine content has led to the development of Quality Protein Maize (QPM). The nutritional benefits of QPM have been well documented in feeding trials 7 , 8 . A number of QPM conversion programs have been successfully accomplished 9 – 12 .…”

Growth performance and meat quality of rice fed broiler and native chicken genotypes in Bangladesh

“…Two major sources of chicken meat are one fast growing commercial hybrid (broiler) and other one slow growing native chicken. Indigenous chicken production is characterized by low productivity due to poor quality and poor management practices (Bidi et al, 2019). The consumers preferred indigenous chicken meat and eggs for decade after decade and consumer"s attraction towards indigenous chicken will also remain unchanged in future because of their special flavor, taste and texture (Bithi et al, 2020;Islam et al, 2019;Jamaly et al, 2017;Das et al, 2018).…”

Marker assisted conversion of maize inbred lines to quality protein maize (GPM) adapted to temperate climate

“…The QPM is reported to have increased levels of lysine and tryptophan in the endosperm protein, which enhances the biological value of protein close to the milk protein (MOTUKURI, 2019). Only 37% of protein intake from non-QPM is utilized compared to 74% of the same amount of QPM (BIDI et al, 2019). Results of a meta-analysis by GUNARATNA et al (2010) indicated that consumption of QPM leads to a 12% increase in the rate of growth in weight and a 9% increase in the rate of growth in height in infants and young children with mild to moderate undernutrition from populations in which maize is a significant part of the diet.…”