Participatory research on the socio-economic, cultural and ecological importance of traditional systems of chicken breeding in the Brazilian semiarid region

Abstract

The article presents the methodological itinerary and the results of a participatory research in Irapuá community, municipality of Novas Russas-CE, Brazil, with two traditional chicken breeding systems (Dona Salu’s and Dona Socorro’s), for a period of 24 months. The methodology emphasizes participatory monitoring as a key tool for learning. The main results are: i) Dona Salu’s System - income generation, indicated a monthly average net revenue throughout the period of R$ 52,00. As for food security, the average annual egg consumption by the family was 489.5 units; the annual per capita consumption was 163 units (national average of 168.72 units per capita in 2013). ii) Dona Socorro’s System - income generation indicated a monthly average net revenue throughout the period of R$ 145,00. As for food security, the average annual egg consumption by the family was 248.5 units; annual per capita consumption was 83 units.