### shortage of chickens and boom in duck farming in the Central African Republic: a viable solution?
The Central African Republic (RCA) is going through a period of crisis affecting various sectors, including breeding. Among the most tangible consequences of this situation, the shortage of chickens has prompted many operators to explore alternatives, including duck farming. This is the case of Rosya Natacha Epelaki, a young entrepreneur at the head of a duck company, Rofpal, who was born three years ago. Through his experience, it is possible to discern the challenges and opportunities that this new trend represents for Central African farmers.
#### context of the shortage
The imperfect availability of chickens on the market is increasingly obvious, especially during periods of high demand such as parties, where traders favor offers from the neighboring Congo. This situation, which arouses dissatisfaction among consumers and producers, has highlighted a little explored fact: the scarcity of alternatives to traditional chicken farming. In this context, Natacha’s approach, who has chosen to embark on duck farming, raises several questions. Is it a simple opportunistic change or a strategic response to market shortcomings?
### Duck farming: a pragmatic response
Rosya Natacha Epelaki claims that ducks are more suitable for local conditions than chickens. They require less care, are more resilient in the face of diseases and offer a significant volume of flesh, making it a product of choice for consumers. “Ducks can be a lasting solution to the current crisis because they are easy to raise and highly requested,” she explains. Her own experience, where she started with only four birds and that she knew how to grow her breeding at eighty, illustrates that the boom in the duck in RCA could take root in a pragmatic adaptation to the realities of the market.
This diversification of livestock could also encourage producers to invest more in their activity, thus promoting a revival of the agro-food sector. The income generated by the sale of ducks, superior to the minimum wage, also testify to an economic opportunity for operators.
#### Challenges to overcome
However, the positive dynamics linked to the boom in duck farming is not without challenges. Natacha mentions constraints such as lack of supply of animal food, high costs of imported veterinary products, and the absence of necessary equipment such as incubators. These obstacles highlight the fragility of an agricultural sector depending on imports to meet essential needs.
Not only does the current situation highlight the need for local solutions for food production, but it also questions the ability of local actors to overcome these challenges. The question of access to an adequate infrastructure, training of breeders, and government or institutional support is crucial to perpetuate this initiative.
#### to an inclusive future
Natacha Epelaki’s experience could inspire other farmers to diversify and innovate. By winning the start-up championship prize at a female entrepreneurship show in Bangui, she not only proven the viability of her project, but also obtained essential recognition which could mobilize other resources for her benefit.
However, it seems essential that public authorities and support organizations take into account these market developments. This involves the implementation of agricultural policies promoting accessibility to local inputs, the promotion of farming training, and support for the marketing of local products.
#### Conclusion
The emergence of duck farming in the Central African Republic is an additional chapter in a resilience story in the face of adversity. Although obstacles remain, the example of Rosya Natacha Epelaki highlights an inspiring response to the food shortage. To transform this opportunity into a real success, a collective and united commitment turns out to be crucial, both on the side of breeders and institutions. Such collaboration could play a fundamental role in the revitalization of the agricultural sector and in the quest for sustainable food autonomy.