"The poultry production systems of Africa are mainly based on the scavenging indigenous chickens found in virtually all villages and households in rural Africa. These systems are characterized by low output per bird. Nevertheless, over 70 percent of the poultry products and 20 percent of animal protein intake in most African countries come from this sector. Therefore, increased rural poultry production would result in a positive impact on household food security both in increased dietary intake and in income generation. ... This study coincided with the World Food Summit, held at FAO, Rome, from 13 to 17 November 1996, where delegations committed their governments and civil society to a global attack on food insecurity and poverty. Poultry, like other short-cycle animal stock, is viewed by the FAO Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) as a crucial element in the struggle for sustained food production and poverty alleviation. The guidelines provided in this study are particularly pertinent to those countries participating in the SPFS where village chicken production will have a substantial impact on increased household food security and gender equity."--Foreword.

This book provides a comprehensive guide to collecting and managing farm-level agricultural data in developing countries. Many development workers face the need to collect data for planning, monitoring or evaluation of a project, or to use data collected by other people. The book explains how to plan, design and manage a survey, and introduces basic analysis and report writing. Unlike other books in this field, the authors deal with the statistical aspects of practical sample designs, and give worked examples to help the reader. The techniques and practical advice will help readers who are collecting data to improve the quality of their surveys and will help people who have to use data assess how reliable those data are.

This technical guide promotes sustainable small-scale, family based poultry production. It gives a comprehensive review of all aspects of small-scale poultry production in developing countries and includes sections on feeding and nutrition, housing, general husbandry and flock health. Regional differences in production practices are also described. The guide provides the technical and scientific building blocks needed to develop sustainable programmes for small-scale poultry production. It will be of practical value to those keeping or planning to keep poultry and as a valuable technical reference for poultry specialists, researchers, students and those interested in broader rural development issues. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Species and Breeds; Chapter 3: Feed Resources; Chapter 4: General Management; Chapter 5: Incubation and Hatching; Chapter 6: Health; Chapter 7: Breed Improvement; Chapter 8: Production Economics; Chapter 9: Marketing; Chapter 10: Research and Development for Family Poultry.

The mission of the Animal Genetic Resources Information Bulletin is the promotion of information on the better use of animal genetic resources of interest to food and agriculture production. - L 'objectif du Bulletin d'information sur les ressources genetiques animales est la vulgarisation de l'information disponible sur la meilleure gestion des ressources genetiques animales d'interet pour la production alimentaire et agricole. - El objetivo del Boletin sobre Recursos Geneticos Animales es la divulgacion de la informacion sobre una mejor gestion de los recursos geneticos animales de interes para la produccion alimentaria y agricola."