Small-Scale Turkey Farming in Bangladesh: Farming Practices, Profitability and Supply Chain Mapping

Abstract

The study was conducted to know the existing turkey production system, supply chain mapping, and identifying the prospects and problems of turkey rearing in some selected areas of Bangladesh during October 2019 to December 2019. A total of 100 turkey raisers were surveyed following convenience method of sampling technique. The primary data were collected, analyzed accordingly and tabular presentation method was applied with the help of simple descriptive statistical measures e.g. frequency distributions, percentage, sum and means to illustrating the results. Profitability analysis was done on the basis of variable cost, fixed cost, return by using arithmetic means and percentages. The study revealed that 87 male and 13 female respondents were surveyed, of them cent percent found educated. About 56% turkey keeper’s main occupation was business, 27% service and 12% in farming while 88.57% involved with farming as secondary sources of income. Average landholding for homestead, cultivable and non-cultivable was 24.40, 129.71 and 29.47 decimal, respectively. About 59% farms started for commercial purpose, 32% for non-commercial purpose and 9% for both. About 60% respondents kept less than 50 turkeys and only 2% kept 501-1000 turkeys. Among the surveyed farms55% stopped their operation and 45% farms found running their business. Among the running farms cent percent were small-scale group. The average feed intake was 192.13 grams per day per bird at 20 weeks of age. Turkey laid on an average 139 eggs a year irrespective of variety and for hatching poults, the fertility and hatchability rate found between 65 to 100% and 50 to 90%, respectively. About 28% farmers experienced the deaths of turkey because of Cold, Pox, Ranikhet, Bird flu and unknown cases and 69.47% farmers took veterinary advice from Upazila Livestock Hospital and rest from other sources. Farmers to consumers were the most common and widely used marketing channel for egg, chick and adult turkey. The market intermediaries of turkey farm carried out different marketing functions e.g. buying and selling, pricing, transportation, sorting, distribution and market information. The average net return and benefit-cost ratio was BDT 127838.04 and 1.38, respectively for 50 turkeys per year. In the study, turkey rearing found some comparative benefit over chicken and ducks e.g. higher weight gain, forage eater, lower diseases rate and suitability for the country. The main problem of turkey rearing identified as market instability, lack of quality turkey feed, higher feed price, lack of proper marketing facility and training on turkey farming. In conclusion, the small-scale turkey farming could be a viable source of income for the rural people of Bangladesh after taking some remedial steps by the Government of Bangladesh for the aforesaid hindrances faced by the turkey farmers.

Contributing Factors for Turkey Consumption: An Empirical Analysis from Mymensingh City in Bangladesh

“…The veterinarians could not recognize the main diseases because of it being a new breed and they have lack of knowledge about treatments and disease control. These results are consistent with Rashid et al (2020) who found that 15.22% turkey farmers faced low feed quality and higher price, 10.87% respondents informed that lack of proper marketing facility and 3.48% respondents said that lack of availability of training facility.…”

“…Withal, the result indicated that Muslim families are likely to consume more turkey meat than a Hindu family. This result is divergent by Higenyi et al, (2014) who found that socio-demographic characteristics like religion were very significant (p-value<0.05) Published by IDEAS SPREAD determinants of consumer choice in case of duck meat. The reason behind this phenomenon might be due to the fact that most of the Hindu families had a higher number of elderly people who were very conservative and did not appreciate a foreign bird meat in family dining.…”

“…It is depicted that turkey consumer responded lower price, more supply of turkey, raising awareness will lead to increase more consumption of turkey meat. For this instance, Rashid et al (2020) suggested that generating income, creating employment opportunities and proper managerial steps in turkey rearing could be a viable commercial enterprise in poultry sector and thus improving the living standard of the rural people. Also, Asaduzzaman et al (2017) reported that vigorous public extension service, training for farmers, opening of different avenues for research on turkey and identifying marketing strategies, are immediately needed to improve the turkey production in Bangladesh.…”

“…(2018), turkey grows faster like broiler chickens and becomes suitable for slaughter purpose within a very short time. Appropriateness of climatic situation, accessibility of regular feed and manpower can make turkey sector commercial, particularly for the poor and marginal farmers (Rashid et al, 2020).…”

Annual trading patterns and risk factors of avian influenza A/H5 and A/H9 virus circulation in turkey birds (Meleagris gallopavo) at live bird markets in Dhaka city, Bangladesh

“…When judging the health of turkeys, good hygiene, housing, brooding, and stocking density are all essential (63). Also, like broiler chickens, turkeys require high protein and other nutrients in their diets (64). So, a lack of proper knowledge of the turkey-rearing system can reduce turkey immunity and increase AIV transmission.…”