Numbers, ownership, production and diseases of poultry in the Lao People's Democratic Republic

Abstract

Production of poultry in the Lao People's Democratic Republic is described. Data from field surveys and from Government and other documents are analysed. Some 95 per cent of poultry are kept in the village, mainly scavenging, system and only 5 per cent are found in industrial systems. Poultry (domestic fowl, two duck species, turkey, Chinese goose, pigeon and other species in that order of importance) are kept by about 90 per cent of households. In absolute terms greatest numbers are found in the northern and central parts of the country. More birds per person are kept in the less developed northern and southern regions. “Average” households own a mixed flock comprising 14–20 domestic fowl, 6–10 ducks, 2–6 turkeys and geese and a flock of pigeons although most owners raise only fowl and ducks. Genetic resources are almost entirely indigenous or naturalized except for a relatively small number of hybrid domestic fowl for industrial egg and meat production. National poultry meat production in 2000 was estimated at 12 800 tonnes and egg production at 10 700 tonnes. Production per bird is 25–60 eggs per year for scavenging fowl and common Anas ducks and slightly less for Muscovy ducks. Village poultry products are consumed at home or sold in local markets. There is growing urban demand from which small scale producers should be able to benefit. Disease is an important constraint to production. Newcastle disease is the main problem in village flocks. Avian Influenza is of concern in the commercial sector. More attention should be given to smallholder producers. This, together with interventions in housing and sanitation and in nutrition and disease control, would greatly increase output. Smallholder producers would be the principal beneficiaries of these interventions in improvements to food security and nutritional status and in reduced production risk.