Poultry Production and Sustainability in Developing Countries under the COVID-19 Crisis: Lessons Learned

Abstract

Poultry farming is a significant source of revenue generation for small farmers in developing countries. It plays a vital role in fulfilling the daily protein requirements of humans through meat and eggs consumption. The recently emerged pandemic Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) impacts the poultry production sector. Although the whole world is affected, these impacts may be more severe in developing countries due to their dependency on exporting necessary supplies such as feed, vaccines, drugs, and utensils. In this review, we have discussed poultry production in developing countries under the COVID-19 crisis and measures to regain the loss in the poultry industries. Generally, due to the lockdown, trade limitations have negatively impacted poultry industries, which might exacerbate global poverty. Coordinated activities have to be taken at the private and government levels to arrange soft loans so that these farms can restore their production and marketing to normal levels. In addition, here, we have focused on the supply of farm input, feed, other raw materials, management system, improved breeding efficiency, veterinary services, and marketing of egg and meat, which have to be ensured to secure a sustainable poultry production chain.

Keywords: COVID-19; developing countries; poultry supply chain; smallholder poultry; sustain ability.

Figure 1

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global poultry sector.

Figure 2

The dynamics of the impacts of lockdown on food security production adapted after HLPE [10]. Several overlapping and reinforcing dynamics affect the food system, such as disruption of the food supply chain and social protection programs, loss of income, shifted food environments, and uneven food prices.

Figure 3

Problems for small-scale poultry farming in developing countries, adapted after [31].