In this study, we investigated the role of small-scale dairy farming and related factors in promoting empowerment among women in the Salakandi (V1) and Binpara (V2) villages in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Data were collected from 50 rural women involved in dairy farming practices in each village through direct interviews using questionnaires. A combination of criteria was modeled using Multiple Linear Regression, revealing that, for all criteria, women from V1 exhibited greater empowerment than women from V2. Through small-scale dairy farming, rural women from V1 were able to increase their confidence and decision-making power with regard to their household and personal care and experienced increased self-esteem, expansion of their social circles, and ultimately enhanced empowerment through the breakdown of traditional socio-cultural norms. Thus, the expansion of small-scale dairy farming in other rural areas of Bangladesh is likely to contribute to the empowerment of more rural women.

Dairy farming assumes most important role in providing income generating opportunities particularly for rural women in Bangladesh. To access the socio-economic status of dairy farmers, this study was carried out in selected areas of Mymensingh district. Total sample size was 50 and sample data were obtained from V1 (modern dairy farming), V1 (traditional dairy farming) and V2 (traditional dairy farming) through direct interviews using questionnaires. Simple statistical methods such as frequency, percentage and mean were used to analyze the sample data. V1 (M) women use modern technology of dairy farming and V2 (T) is traditional village. Financial conditions of selected farmers were investigated in study areas. It was found that households in V1 (M) had more household income and well status than others and that V1 (M) woman were more educated and older with longer experience in dairy farming. Relatively wealthy households and educated/experienced women tend to adopt modern dairy farming.

The study examined the factors influencing yearly consumption of turkey meat in Mymensingh city area. Data were collected from 60 consumers of turkey meat through Purposive sampling technique and face to face interview. Dummy coding was applied to code independent variables which were categorical in nature and multiple linear regression was carried out to find out the factors influencing consumption of turkey meat. Result indicated that the majority of the consumers (more than 50%) favored taste, color and aroma of turkey meat. The findings also revealed that age (P<0.05) and monthly family income (P<0.01) were significantly influencing yearly consumption of turkey meat among consumers in Mymensingh city. The major difficulty faced by the turkey farmer recognized as unavailability of turkey feed in the market, high price of day-old chick, lack of access to agricultural credit, lack of training and marketing facility and un-availability of vaccines. Analyzing the factors affecting consumption of turkey meat would facilitate in marketing decision making process of the turkey farmers and also deliver information to policy makers of Government as well as Department of Livestock Services to take necessary initiatives and support this alternative meat source to rise as a popular consumer choice.

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