Scientific Backyard Poultry Rearing Technology: An Approach to Awareness and Adoption of Technology for Livelihood Development of Rural Farmers in Sikkim, India

Abstract

A backyard poultry improvement technology programme based on scientific management practices with high yielding breed of chickens was desired by the rural communities of Sikkim to improve their income. For implementation of this programme, partnership with various line departments and extension agencies were chosen deliberately. Scaling out was realized through participatory approaches, use of trainers from the communities, locally managed feed with diminutive commercial feed, market orientation and credit facilities, collaborating with and influencing Govt and Non Govt Organizations (NGOs). The average profit from improved poultry keeping was US$451.83 per household per annum for a 50 bird enterprise. This programme contributed to increased awareness, development of leadership and entrepreneurial skills, increased status of trainers and investments in other businesses.

Economic Analysis of Kamrupa Compared to Local Chicken Production in Assam under Backyard System of Rearing

“…There were reports of similar results that human labour cost comprised the highest percentage of total production cost in backyard system of rearing of Kamrupa and Assam local chicken [2], [3]. In contrast to the present findings, it was reported that feed cost alone contributed 90.95% of the total cost of production followed by chick cost, medicine cost and vaccine cost in backyard system of poultry rearing in Sikkim [4]. The cost of vaccine and cost of medicine and feed supplements accounted for 1.14 and 1.42 and 1.03 and 1.80% of the total cost of production in case of local and Kamrupa chicken, respectively.…”

“…In contrast to the present findings, some researchers reported higher cost of production per bird as Rs. 729.50 under scientific backyard rearing of high yielding chicken in Sikkim [4].…”

“…Similar trends of share were also recorded for Kamrupa birds under backyard system. Some reports were also there that the highest amount of income in backyard poultry farming was coming from selling of eggs (65.96%) in Sikkim [4]. Other researchers also observed that the income from Vanaraja chicken by selling of eggs was much higher (57.26%) than its local counterparts, which was due to production of more numbers of eggs by Vanaraja birds, might be because of their better genetic makeup [3].…”

“…However, [6] reported much lower benefit cost (B:C) ratio as 1.73 in Rhode Island Red chicken reared in backyard system in West Bengal. Some reports of less amount of benefit cost ratio as 1.73 was also observed in scientific backyard poultry farming in Sikkim [4]. Researchers were also assessed that there was profitability in rearing indigenous chicken under backyard with a benefit cost ratio of 1.60 and 1.61 in two of the study areas [7].…”

A Study on Broiler Farming Practices Followed by the Farmers in Mizoram

“…Majority of the broiler farmers (53%) spent ` 450-1,500 for vaccine and medicine followed by 42% spending more than ` 1,500 and 5% spent less than ` 450 for vaccine and medicine (Table 12). Nath et al (2013) reported that feed cost alone contributed 90.95% to the total cost of production followed by chick cost, Weight 1-5 kg 3 kg medicine cost and vaccine cost in backyard poultry farming in Sikkim. As compared to the number of birds farmers spent less on vaccine and medicine which might be due to the reason that most of the farmers did not vaccinate their birds regularly and some never vaccinated their birds.…”