A spatial analysis of feed conversion ratio: a case study of broiler chickens in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda

ABSTRACT

The poultry production model is an efficiently intensified small-scale production model. One of the best ways to measure the efficiency of poultry production is the feed conversion ratio (FCR). This study investigated factors that influence the FCR while considering spatial autocorrelations. A random sample of 320 broiler chicken farmers in Musanze district, northern Rwanda was collected and the Spatial Error Model (SEM) was used for analysis. Results revealed a spatial autocorrelation and relationships between FCR and some factors. This study advances our understanding of sustainable intensification and contributes to the design of future investments and interventions in broiler chicken production.

KEYWORDS:

• Spatial error model
• poultry production
• feed conversion ratio
• sustainable intensification

Acknowledgments

This manuscript is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of The University of Tennessee and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. This study was conducted with the financial support of USAID/Rwanda and the African Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) Foundation as a Global Development Alliance, Tworore Inkoko, Twunguke (Let’s raise chickens for profit). The research was led by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (USAID Cooperative Agreement No.: AID-696-A-17-00006) with a sub-award to Zamura Feeds Limited, Ruhengeri, Rwanda.

Geolocation information

The study was conducted in Musanze District, Rwanda. The Muhoza sector is situated at the center of the district and located at 1.5098° S, 29.6406° E.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the African Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) Foundation; United States Agency for International Development (USAID) [AID-696-A-17-00006].

Notes on contributors

J.F. Régis Nisengwe

Dr. Thomas Gill is an international, interdisciplinary development professional who has worked in agriculture and rural development for the past 19 years. Gill currently serves as the Smith Chair in International Sustainable Agriculture and Director of International Programs at the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture, leading strategic vision and global program development across the institute. Gill currently serves as President of the Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD) and also recently served as Chair of the International Agriculture Section for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU). His experience and research interests include smallholder household decision-making in sustainable agroecosystems and participatory approaches to human and institutional capacity development, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

David Ader has spent most of his early career working in the development sector focusing on rural development. He has worked in Chile collaborating with rural farming communities, in the Peace Corps in Zambia, and with USAID funded work in Cambodia. Dr. Ader’s work has revolved around linking social, agricultural and environmental issues. While researching improvements for agricultural systems and the conservation of important natural resources, Dave is currently helping to build an international program at UTIA. He is involved in strengthening the capacity for international research programs, globalizing curricula to improve students’ exposure to international issues, and helping to create international opportunities for students and faculty. Being involved in academia and the development sector, Dave has had the opportunity to help develop projects and collaborations across the globe. Dave has extensive experience leading educational trips abroad to study agro-environmental issues throughout Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Hans Goertz is a Project Development Specialist with the international programs office at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. In this role, he supports global engagement across the Institute by building faculty teams and international partnerships around external funding opportunities for research, extension and education. Hans comes from a multidisciplinary background in development studies at the University of Florida, with a focus on program design and evaluation. He has served in various research, development and disaster relief roles in the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Broadly, his research focuses on natural resource management and adoption of agricultural technologies.

Régis Nisengwe was born and raised in Kigali, Rwanda where he did his undergraduate studies in environmental science at the University of Rwanda. After his undergraduate degree, he came to the United States as a MasterCard Foundation Scholar and completed his Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Management and Policy at Michigan State University. His thesis investigated farmers’ risk attitudes and perceptions of climate change in northern Rwanda. After his Master’s degree, Régis returned to Rwanda and worked with nonprofit organizations and consulting firms involved in natural resources and agriculture. In the summer of 2019, Régis came back to the US to pursue his Ph.D. in Natural Resources at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries. Régis is particularly interested in human dimensions of natural resources and is working under the supervision of Dr. Adam Willcox.