Productive achievements in backyard poultry projects funded by the strategic program for food security at Tepecoacuilco, Guerrero, Mexico

Objective: To identify the socioeconomic factors in Tepecoacuilco, Guerrero that favored food production and family income that improves their food security via backyard poultry projects. Methodology: 31 families with backyard poultry projects for chicken meat and egg production were surveyed and their information complemented with two participatory workshops. Results: The average backyard area per family was 48.27 m2, of which 25.3 m2 were destined to the projects supported by the program. Only 16.1% of the assessed projects are in operation and families with active projects improved their diet by increasing their consumption of eggs and healthy meats. Regarding egg production, an annual average of 187.2 kg was obtained in operating projects. Limitations: Local violence conditions in the study area limited interviewing all beneficiaries selected in the sample. Conclusions: Beneficiaries improved their family diets with the financed projects; however, the results indicate that family needs are still not fully fulfilled, because the beneficiaries continue to buy eggs essential for their diets. The projects achieved little or no contribution to their household income