A SOCIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BROILER FARMING ENTERPRISE IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF BIRAMPUR UPAZILA UNDER DINAJPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

The study was conducted to perceive the variations in socio-economic conditions of broiler farmers in Birampur upazilla under Dinajpur district. A total of 45 commercial broiler farms were selected. The study was carried out from 15 January to 15 June, 2020. The farmers and farming were evaluated through the analysis of data that were collected in a pre-structured questionnaire. The study was carried out in respect of socioeconomic status of the broiler farmers and estimated the farm profitability per bird of each flock in the study area.

This study also revealed that comparatively rich farmers (46.66% had 4.94 acre of land) were involved in farming. There were variations in source of investment (26.66% own, 53.34% bank loan, 11.11% from money lenders with interest and 8.89% from money lenders without interest), farming as an occupation for the farmers (40% main and 60% subsidiary occupation), sources of drinking water (80% have own tube-well), latrine condition (73.33% have sanitary latrine) and health status of the farmers (33.33% good, 53.34% moderate and 13.33% poor). The average number of children per farmer attends to primary school, high school, college, university and out of educational institution were 42.86%, 35.71%, 14.29%, 5.71% and 1.43% in case of boys and 46.15%, 28.85%, 11.54%, 3.85% and 9.61% in case of girls, respectively.

The result also showed that the overall broiler farming practices in Birampur Upazila is profitable and it was found higher in the farms under flock size-2. The average feed intake was almost same and found in average 3.27 kg. The average FCR was found 1.65 where it was found highest 1.67 in flock-1 whereas it was lowest 1.63 in flock-2 that indicates flock-2 is found better than'-other two flocks. The average mortality and livability rate was found 2.81% and 97.19% whereas Broiler performance efficiency factor and Broiler Farm Economy Index were found 120.45 and 3.34 respectively.

The overall cost per bird of selected the farms was found Tk. 158.01 and the overall gross return Tk. 257.45 and the net profit per bird was found Tk. 99.44. The flock wise total cost and gross margin per bird were accounted in Tk.158.37, Tk. 157.71, Tk.157.94 and Tk. 97.14, Tk. 107.38, Tk.103.07 respectively. The flock wise benefit cost ratio were found 1.59, 1.66 and 1.63 as a whole it was accounted as 1.63 which indicates broiler farming is a profitable farm business in the study areas.

The study found that farmers always felt threatened to rear broiler due to various problems they faced. Though the possibility of broiler farming was found to be high but facility was found to be very low. The study concluded that broiler farming is profitable and it has the potentials for economic empowerment, animal originated food/nutrition security and sustainable rural development if major challenges are addressed by the all stakeholders.