Back in the olden days commercialized chickens from supermarkets pose a
great value for the livelihoods of the people. Nowadays, the trend is slowly
moving from commercial to local free – ranged chickens as they give more value compared
to the crossbreed chickens; or does it only apply to Niue? How can this be
justified? In the past, local chicken breeds have been one of Niue’s main
sources of food for many years. They are believed to be the healthiest and the
most nutritious food source compared to the new crossbreed species we have
nowadays. It is scientifically proven that the local chicken breed present in
Niue is a very rare species. Rare as in, they only have it in Niue.
Why the local breeds?
Experiments
and research were done by various specialists in the past years to identify the
different types of chicken breeds inhabiting on Niue. A survey was done on
blood samples for the chickens and pigs under this project, to analyze the
genetic makeup of the chicken breed present on Niue.
Blood samples were taken overseas and were analyzed in three different certified research centers and was confirmed that the particular breed can only be found in Niue. Therefore, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) funded a project “Animal Genetic Resources – the conservation of local chickens including pigs, to improve or upgrade chicken pens for this matter. The project itself correlates with the regional FAO-SPC AnGR (Animal Genetic Resources) Project in trying to conserve local animal species (chickens and pigs).
Blood samples were taken overseas and were analyzed in three different certified research centers and was confirmed that the particular breed can only be found in Niue. Therefore, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) funded a project “Animal Genetic Resources – the conservation of local chickens including pigs, to improve or upgrade chicken pens for this matter. The project itself correlates with the regional FAO-SPC AnGR (Animal Genetic Resources) Project in trying to conserve local animal species (chickens and pigs).
Project scope and overview
Three
local chicken pens were selected to be improved for this project; these chicken
pens were also in line with previous projects similarly to the ones being
implemented now.
Two
livestock specialists from SPC; Nick and Andrew flew in to assist and work
alongside with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to
help maintain chicken pens. The project to-date is still an ongoing process.
But DAFF staffs are trying very hard to complete before the end of the year, as
it will be showcased during the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA) meeting that will be held here in Niue.
Photo Credit: Huggard Tongatule
Blogpost by Tom-Vaitolo Vaha, Livestock Officer,
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
