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This study was conducted to assess the drivers of commercialization and profitability among the smallholder farmers of indigenous chickens (IC) in northern Uganda. A market index was constructed to measure the proportion of IC marketed as a proxy for commercialization. A Tobit regression model was fitted using maximum likelihood estimation to determine the drivers of commercialization level of IC. Gross margin analysis was conducted to measure annual profits from IC production and a multiple linear regression was estimated using ordinary least squares to ascertain the determinants of profitability. Overall, the level of commercialization of IC was found to be as low as 31.2%. This level was affected by: IC flock size, number of cattle owned, group membership and access to poultry specific extension services. Commercial IC production was found to be profitable with average gross margins of UGX 118,704 (equivalent to US$34 per annum). Our results revealed that profitability in IC production and marketing was affected by bicycle access, number of extension visits, family ownership of chickens, sex, and age of household head. Our findings point to the need for implementation of strategies to increase flock size like disease management, provision of targeted extension services and increased group marketing of chickens.

The study was conducted to explore gender dimensions in the local chicken value chain in northern Uganda. Specifically, it focused on characterizing local chicken value chain actors, ascertaining level and determinants of gender participation as well as relationships between gender, access and control over income from local chicken enterprises. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires administered in a cross-sectional survey of 200 randomly selected local chicken value chain actors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 10 and StataSE 13 software from which simplified gross margins, descriptive statistics, correlations and a Logit regression model were estimated. Results revealed that majority of value chain actors were aged 20–48 years and males were dominant across most segments in the value chain. Men participated more in input supply, house construction, marketing and barbequing while women participated in production and stewing local chickens. Among actors, processors (UGX 1,911,274) and farmers (UGX 159,691) had the highest and least annual gross margin respectively. The Logit model revealed that age, education level, marital status and income control positively influenced (Pr = 0.00) gender participation. Men had more control over income than women. An engendered innovation platform could be established for training and empowerment of local chicken value chain actors.