Abstract

The improvement of duck statistics cannot be overemphasized because of remarkable increases in duck egg production in recent years resulting in a flourishing egg processing subsector. However, very little has been done to generate and provide accurate and comprehensive duck statistics and information to support the growth and development of the duck industry. The main objective of this research project was to improve the statistical methodology of generating duck statistics. Specifically, it was implemented to: (1) generate an updated list of commercial duck farms in identified major producing provinces and develop a survey design for generating duck inventory and egg production based on the updated list; (2) collect socio-economic information related to duck raising in identified project areas; and (3) study the structure and size of the duck and egg production industry in identified key producing areas. The production survey of commercial duck farms conducted simultaneously with the listing operation in eight top producing provinces yielded an inventory estimate of about 2.1 million birds. The estimate was higher by 20% compared with the commercial farm estimates generated using the 1992 list, and 4.0% lesser than the national estimates of 2.2 M birds. The results obviously indicate an underestimation of previous estimates using the existing methodology due to outdated frame. Moreover, the results indicate that given limited resources, the key informant approach proved the best alternative. In general, the survey results yielded a higher inventory than the previous estimates, but lesser number of farms, implying that the average farm capacity has increased. This could partly be explained by the growing trend of integrated duck egg production and processing under one grower-processor farm scheme. The advent of integrated farms or poultry type farm operations, coupled with the rising feed costs and declining efficiency of small commercial duck farm operations, possibly forced the small commercial operators to close down.