Abstract:

Poultry contributes to improved human nutrition and food security by being a leading source of high quality protein in form of eggs and meat. It acts as a key supplement to revenue from crops and other livestock enterprises, thus avoiding over dependency on traditional commodities with inconsistent prices. It has a high potential to generate foreign exchange earnings through export of poultry products to neighbouring countries. Poultry is highly prized in many social-cultural functions such as dowry and festivities. The poultry industry in Uganda is relatively new. Its major problem is therefore associated with its further expansion, though care must be taken to avoid overproduction. The industry is characterized by widely diverse methods of production which include the following: village flocks, small-scale commercial flocks and large-scale commercial farms. Constraints in poultry production include: production related constraints (inadequate access to improved breed, access and affordability of feed, disease control): lack of knowledge and skills, inadequate capital at all levels and marketing.