Animal Health Services: Extent of Availability in Some Selected Rural Areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to assess the nature and extent of availability of animal health services received by the rural livestock farmers. The research was conducted in four upazilas namely Companyganj of Sylhet, Modhukhali of Faridpur, Mathbaria of Pirojpur and Mithamoin of Kishoreganj districts. Data were collected by using both quantitative and qualitative methods from a sample of 480 farmers during April to September 2010.Almost all of the farmers had high level of availability of veterinary services in relation to treatment of diseases and availability of medicine. Only few (6 percent) received services regarding artificial insemination. Percentage of respondents receiving services on vaccination (32 percent) and surgery and obstetrics (22 percent) were also moderate. The MFTS project beneficiaries received all services with higher frequencies than those of the non-beneficiaries except from the availability of medicine.The farmers living near upazila headquarter received better services than those living far from the upazila headquarters. Key words: Animal health services, availability, rural areas INTRODUCTIONLivestock plays an important role in the national economy of Bangladesh with a direct contribution of 12% to agricultural GDP and 3% to national economy (Bangladesh National Livestock Extension Policy, 2013) and providing 15% of total employment in the economy (Bangladesh National Livestock Development Policy, 2007). The livestock sub-sector that includes poultry offers important employment and livelihood opportunities particularly for the rural poor, including the functionally landless, many of whom regard livestock as a main livelihood option. About 75 percent people rely on livestock to some extent for their livelihood, which clearly indicates that the poverty reduction potential of the livestock sub-sector is high (Tareque et al., 2010). Dairying is also considered a strong tool to develop a village micro economy of Bangladesh (Shamsuddin et al., 2007) in order to improve rural livelihoods and to alleviate rural poverty.As a result of globalization and climate change the world is currently facing an unprecedented increase of emerging and re-emerging animal diseases and zoonoses (animal diseases transmissible to humans). Improving the governance of animal health service systems in both the public and private sector is one of the most effective responses to this alarming situation.The availability and quality of animal health services can play a key role in increasing the productivity of the livestock sector (Umali et al., 1994).The Government of Bangladesh is committed to take necessary steps to achieve self-sufficiency in milk, chicken and livestock production with a view to meet the protein demand of the nation (Bangladesh Economic Review, 2010). For such a goal to be materialized, proper importance should be given on the issues of animal health management and associated issues. As livestock sector marked the sign of sustained development in the last two decades, it is of utm...