Abstract:
Improving free range local chicken (FRLC) production through vaccinating against
Newcastle disease (ND) at the village level is an important component in improving
socio-economies of the rural communities in Tanzania. This study assessed the socio-
economic impact of FRLC vaccinated against ND in rural communities of Mvomero
District. The Primary data were gathered from a sample of 181 respondents from
Sangasanga, Changarawe, Tangeni, Kimambila, Lubungo, Mafuru and Vikenge. The
primary data from the semi-structured questionnaire were analysed using SPSS 12.0 and
descriptive statistics namely frequencies and percentage were used in explaining the data
collected from the respondents. The survey findings reveal that on average, since 2007
to 2009 each household kept 23 FRLC and more than half 56.3 % of the respondents
earned less than 50 000 Tsh through selling of FRLC and their products. Moreover,
whereas women seemed to be more responsible 56.4 % in caring of the FRLC and
making decision on selling of the eggs 52.9 %, men slightly dominated 35.6 % in
making decision about the selling of live FRLC. In contrast, women were the ones
responsible for keeping the income earned from selling FRLC and its products.
Furthermore, majority of the respondents 82.9 % indicated that ND vaccination worked
better than indigenous herbs whereas only 0.6 % had a negative attitude towards ND
vaccines. The findings also reveal that the sustainability of the ND vaccination exercise
was attained through formation of groups of the FRLC keepers and cost sharing for ND
vaccines. The findings suggest that there is a need for mass education on the
epidemiology and socio-economic implication of ND for the households.
