Adoption of Pellet Feeds and Demand for Pelleting Machines Among Poultry Farmers and Feed Producers in Eastern and Northern provinces of Rwanda
Abstract
Poultry farming is a growing sector in Rwanda, but productivity remains constrained by high feed costs and limited adoption of modern feeding technologies such as pellet feeds. Pellet feeds have become increasingly popular in poultry production because they improve feed efficiency, reduce wastage, and support faster growth compared to mash feeds. In commercial systems, especially broiler production, adoption is very high. Studies indicate that over 90% of broiler diets worldwide are pelleted. Market data also show pellets make up around 40–45% of the global poultry feed market, with regional variations depending on production scale and infrastructure. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 135 poultry farmers from the Northern and Eastern provinces, using structured questionnaires to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, poultry management practices, and perceptions toward pellet feeds and pelleting machines. Results show that only 38.8% of farmers currently use pellet feeds, with barriers including misconceptions that pellets are for broilers only (32.4%), lack of availability for layers, limited knowledge, and high costs. Awareness that pellets can be used for layers was low (30.2%), yet willingness to adopt was high, with 93.1% expressing interest in increasing use and 98.3% willing to purchase an affordable small pelleting machine. Logistic regression further showed that layer rearers (AOR = 0.093, 95% CI: 0.026–0.334) and those unaware of pellet suitability (AOR = 0.085, 95% CI: 0.033–0.218) were less likely to use them compared to the broiler rearers and those who are aware of pellet suitability, respectively. These findings highlight critical knowledge and perception gaps that limit pellet feed adoption despite strong interest, suggesting that targeted farmer training, awareness campaigns, and improved access to affordable pelleting equipment are essential to enhance productivity and sustainability in Rwanda’s poultry sector
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Copyright (c) 2025 Zachee Ntakirutimana, Eric Sibomana, Eugene Twizeyimana, Aphrodis Tuyishimire
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