Analysis of Egg Production System at Al-Karak Governorate in Jordan

Abstract

This study aimed at analysing eggs’ production system in Al-Karak governorate, Jordan for better development of poultry layer farm. Analysis of strengthens, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) was performed utilising collected questionnaire data. The SWOT analysis aimed at finding factors that increase the production and maximise the profit by improving supply chain into value chain. The results of this study indicated that self-owned farm (n=10) raised 72,000 layer birds, representing 3% of total number of the layer farms in the country. Farmers are totally dependent on their farms for employment and income to support their families and to meet household needs. The farms possess basic facilities including a proper conventional housing. The farming started by raising 16 week-agepullet purchased along with feeds and poultry equipments. The production period of layers ends by the 80th week of age. Overall egg production of theses layer farms is inadequate for local consumption of Al-Karak governorate. The daily egg production is estimated at 51,000 eggs, leads to a daily shortage of about 106,000 eggs. Therefore, it is an indication that scope of layer farming development for self sufficiency is needed. The current weakness of layer farming is inexistence of corporative to enhance production (up to 51,000 egg/ day) and instable market. Therefore, formation of cooperative of layer farms to produce and stable market is an opportunity that strongly requested by farmers.