Abstract

Akokogio E. Freeborn

Poultry production is very significant to the livelihoods of Nigerian rural populace which constitute 70%. Free range scavenging poultry constitutes up to 90% of the total stock. Disease such as Newcastle and recent past the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu H5N1 among other constitutes serious threat to poultry production in the country. Interventions targeted at preventing diseases at low cost and on sustainable manner particularly the HPAI seen as central in the fight against the plight and vulnerability of the rural dwellers. A series of field assessment focusing on vulnerability, assets base, and capabilities was conducted in 18 communities using participatory tools and questionnaire, six each from the North West (Katsina State), South East (Anambra State) and South West (Ondo State) of Nigeria. The results revealed abundance of natural resources, such as land, water, forest and indigenous knowledge, skill and experiences that can be used to achieve cost effective biosecurity amongst the rural households, hence increased poultry production and well-being of the communities at large.