Village poultry, food security and HIV/AIDS mitigation
Alders, R.; Bagnol, B.; Harun, M.; Young, M.
LEISA Magazine 23(3): 20-21
2007
Document Number: 213601
This article examines the role of village poultry in ensuring food security among farming households affected by HIV/AIDS. The components of village poultry production include: indigenous poultry breeds; feed, shelter, disease control, community collaboration and group formation. Two case studies present how these components are incorporated into HIV/AIDS mitigation programmes. The Junior Farmer Field School (JFFS) concept in southern Zimbabwe was identified as a useful way to assist rural youth in HIV/AIDS programmes. Poultry was proposed as a model to develop farming/entrepreneurial skills because its high turnover rate allows rapid exposure of JFFS members to the production and marketing process which provides valuable experience in financial management and learning processes. Project implementation showed that the chickens contributed both to household food security and income of the JFFS groups. The FAO is supporting activities that can mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS on food security and nutrition in Mozambique. The pilot project demonstrated the potential to deliver triple benefits: direct support to the people affected or infected by IV/AIDS; income generation for the carers and the community-based organizations and an increase in the carrying capacity of the communities in terms of supporting welfare activities. In conclusion, improving the management of village chickens by junior farmers and people living with HIV/AIDS contributes to HIV/AIDS mitigation principally through improved household food security and income generation.