Nutrition-sensitive chicken production in Ethiopia: a qualitative evaluation

Abstract Small-scale chicken production holds great potential as a nutrition-sensitive strategy in low-income settings, due to its potential for improving income, increasing the consumption of nutritious foods (including eggs and meat), and empowering women. This study sought to evaluate the impacts of and to identify challenges and solutions for a nutrition-sensitive chicken production intervention in rural Ethiopia. We conducted a qualitative study following the endline evaluation of the African Chicken Genetic Gains and Agriculture to Nutrition project in the Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Using semi-structured interviews, we held twelve Focus Group Discussions with woman project participants and six Key Informant Interviews with project staff. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Six Focus Group Discussions were with participants in the African Chicken Genetic Gains intervention, through which women received 25 high-yielding chickens. The other six Focus Group Discussions were held with participants who (in addition to the African Chicken Genetic Gains intervention) also received the Agriculture to Nutrition intervention, which focused on nutrition-sensitive behavior change communication related to child feeding, water, sanitation and hygiene, and home gardening. The African Chicken Genetic Gains and the Agriculture to Nutrition interventions benefited participants through improved income, nutrition, and child caregiving knowledge. Nutrition and child feeding benefits were emphasized more in the nutrition-sensitive behavior change arm, while income benefits were emphasized more in the arm that did not receive behavior change. The primary challenges of the project included death and disease of chickens and implementation issues at both the project and household levels. Recommendations to address these challenges included improved chicken housing designs, access to inputs, access to veterinary care (including vaccines and medication), and project logistics. The nutrition-sensitive and chicken production interventions were largely well-received by participants. Most participants agreed that the benefits of the project outweighed the challenges. Future projects would benefit from logistical and infrastructural improvements to improve implementation and impacts on nutrition, health, and livelihoods.