IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SMALL HOLDER DAIRY FARMERS IN COX’S-BAZAR DISTRICT

Abstract

COVID-19 has created a serious negative impact in all sectors of the country. This study was conducted to understand the impact of COVID-19 on small holder dairy farms in Cox’s-bazar District, Bangladesh. On the basis of available information, a total of 31 dairy farms were selected following random sampling technique from Cox’s-bazar Sadar, Ukhia and Ramu upazila under Cox’s-bazar district of Bangladesh through a pre-designed questionnaire. Descriptive, statistical and econometric methods were used to achieve the objectives. The result showed that, maximum (41.94%) dairy farmers of Cox’s-bazar were adult aged (41 and above), 45.16% farm owner were enough educated (above SSC) and maximum (77.42%) farmers started dairy farming by their own money. About 51.61 percent farm owner earned Tk 51000-100000 as monthly income. This study identified a remarkable change in net return, gross margin and BCR of the selected farms. Net return of the farms decreased from Tk 22748.43 to Tk 9937.442 where gross margin reduced from Tk 11483.43 to Tk 3038.71 during COVID-19 period than before COVID-19 period. This result also revealed that, the average difference of feed cost between during COVID-19 period and before COVID-19 period was Tk 1531.08 and average reduction in milk price due to COVID-19 was Tk 12810.99. The differences were statistically significant (p<0.0001). This study also identified 12 major problems faced by farmers due to COVID-19 which were ranked according to problem indices and where milk price fall down due to COVID-19, constraints on marketing of products and high cost of concentrate feed were highlighted. However, in this situation, government and other agencies should concentrate on multipurpose cash support to COVID-19 affected vulnerable dairy farmers to minimize their loss.