RAWO Partners with Effective Ventures to Promote Chicken Welfare in Rwanda

The Rwanda Animal Welfare Organization (RAWO) has signed for a research agreement with Effective Ventures, a funding organization, to conduct research aimed at promoting chicken welfare in Rwanda. The study, titled “A Study of Battery Cage and Cage-Free Systems,” seeks to contribute to the ongoing chicken welfare campaign in the country.

The research, approved and supported by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), is being conducted across all 30 districts of Rwanda, with a particular focus on areas where poultry farming is highly developed and significant quantities of eggs are produced.

Building Capacity for Impact

Before launching the research, RAWO provided in-house training for its staff to ensure that all team members fully understood the importance and objectives of the study. Scientists and veterinarians involved in the project were trained on data collection techniques, the tools to use, and effective ways to approach farmers.

The targeted farmers included those utilizing both deep litter and battery cage systems in their poultry farming operations.

Assessing the Impact of Farming Systems

Globally, it is scientifically recognized that battery cages compromise the welfare of chickens. These systems restrict movement, prevent dust bathing, and limit chickens’ ability to express natural behaviors, ultimately affecting their overall well-being.

RAWO’s study assessed various aspects of chicken welfare within batt

ery cages and deep litter systems. Key focus areas included evaluating the Five Freedoms of animals, farm profitability, income generation, environmental impact, climate change effects, and the sustainability of each production system.

Speaking on the findings, RAWO Executive Director stated:
“This research is groundbreaking in that it does not just evaluate the welfare of chickens but also investigates how different farming systems affect farm profitability, environmental sustainability, and climate change. Our goal is to provide farmers with practical solutions that align humane chicken farming practices with economic and environmental benefits.”

Insights from Farmers: Profitability Over Welfare

During Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) conducted in each district, farmers provided key insights into their experiences and attitudes toward different poultry farming systems. A common theme emerged: many farmers are not fully aware of how certain systems compromise chicken welfare.

“What matters most to us is profitability,” said a farmer during one discussion. “We don’t really consider how these systems impact the chickens’ welfare.”

Another farmer shared a mixed perspective, stating:
“I was planning to adopt the cage system, but I had concerns about whether it would be profitable. This research provides much-needed information to help me decide whether to continue with that plan or change my approach.”

These discussions revealed a significant gap in knowledge and the need for more farmer education on humane and sustainable poultry farming practices.

Gathering Insights Through GPS Mapping

To ensure comprehensive coverage, RAWO utilized GPS mapping tools to document all the farms visited during the study. This allowed the team to gather precise data and develop a robust understanding of poultry farming trends across the country.

Next Steps: Disseminating Findings

Following data collection and analysis, RAWO plans to host a high-level stakeholder meeting to share the research findings. Attendees will include representatives from Rwanda’s poultry value chain, such as policymakers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, heads of veterinary units, animal scientists, influential poultry production experts, key farmers, and NGOs working on livestock projects in Rwanda.

The meeting will focus on discussing the study’s results and shaping future strategies for humane and sustainable poultry farming in the country. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, RAWO aims to promote systems that prioritize animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and economic viability in the Rwandan poultry sector.

A Milestone for Rwanda’s Poultry Industry

This initiative marks a significant milestone in RAWO’s efforts to align Rwanda’s poultry industry with global best practices. By addressing the intersection of animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and economic growth, RAWO is paving the way for a more humane, sustainable, and profitable poultry farming sector in Rwanda.

Through this collaborative approach, RAWO and its partners aim to educate farmers, influence policy, and ensure that chicken welfare is at the forefront of Rwanda’s poultry development agenda.

ND