Abstract:
Extension strategies that stimulate commercialization of smallholder farming aim to increase agricultural productivity. The National Agriculture and Livestock Extension Programme (NALEP) working with smallholder farmers introduced Common Interest Groups (CIGs) approach. CIG is a congregation of farmers brought together for the purpose of imparting technologies to increase farm productivity. When farmers come together through indigenous chicken Common Interest Groups, it is expected that this would influence productivity of indigenous chicken. However influence of common interest group membership on productivity of indigenous chicken among smallholder farmers remains unclear despite efforts put in promoting membership. The study determined the influence of CIGs membership on productivity from smallholder indigenous chicken enterprise. This may enhance other stakeholder strategies to use CIGs as avenues to improve indigenous chicken productivity. Study population were the smallholder indigenous chicken famers who belonged to IC CIGs. The study used Cross-Sectional survey design and 135 respondents were randomly selected from 20 active indigenous chicken CIGs. Data was collected using open and closed-ended questionnaire. Validity of the instrument was checked and its content reviewed. Reliability of the intrument was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient. A reliability coefficient of 0.801 was obtained. Data was analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics used included frequencies, percentages and means. Null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Inferential statistics used were Chi- square (McNemars) test and Simple paired t-test on collected data. The study revealed significant influence of CIGs membership on management practices, quantity of products and income from indigenous chicken (p<0.001). In conclusion, membership of Common Interest Groups influences positively the productivity of indigenous chicken enterprise. The study recommends that for improved indigenous chicken productivity, farmers to join and participate in Common Interest Groups. It further recommends other development organizations to use CIG members to enhance indigenous chicken products and income thus support it’s commercialization along the value chain.
