Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Improving Livelihood Through Herd Health Management and Milk Market Access to Poor Farmers Living in the Nothern Bangladesh.

Dr. Md. Golam Shahi Alam
Professor
Department of Surgery and obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh-2202

Dr. Shankar Kumar Raha
Professor
Dept of Agribusiness and Marketing, BAU, Mymensingh-2202

M. I. Faruk
Department of Surgery and obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh-2202

J. U. Ahemd
Dept of Agribusiness and Marketing, BAU, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The rural poverty rate is about 41% of which 32% are ultra-poor people living particularly in the char areas of northern Bangladesh. The objective of the study was to improve livelihood and food security of extremely poor people of different char areas through herd health management with the development to milk marketing channels to increase the productivity of the animals and to reduce the poverty experienced by the farmers. A total of 600 dairy households having at least one cow and 300 non-dairy households in 12 villages of island char areas from Sariakhandi, Islampur and Belkuchi Upazilas of Bogra, Jamalpur and Sirajganj districts, respectively were randomly selected. Various components were assessed through direct interviewing the farmers on family size, land ownership, livestock composition, sanitation and source of drinking water and other household items using pre-tested questionnaire. The bench mark scenarios of 600 dairy and 300 non-dairy char households from 12 villages of three Upazilas were recorded. It was revealed that about 50% of the people were involved in dairying and both men (47%) and women (53%) were associated in cattle rearing. Ownership of 5 (202m2) and 10 (405m2) decimals homestead area of dairy group were 61%, 14%; 62%, 10% and 60%, 13%;and cultivable land of 10 and 20 decimals were 44.5%, 13.5%; 43.5%, 12% and 38%, 5% in Sariakandi, Islampur and Belkuchi upazilas, respectively. About 70% and 74% dairy households had the drinking water and sanitation facilities, respectively, while 49% and 44% non-dairy households had such facilities. The livestock population in three upazilas of 300 dairy households was 3065 of which 946 were cattle; while 1915 were of non-dairy households including 17 cattle. Average daily income of each dairy and non-dairy household was 129/- and 109/- Taka, respectively. Further, many of the dairy household group had a bicycle (n=54), radio (n-59) and cell phone (n211), but few in the non-dairy had a bicycle (n=8) and cell phone (n=43). On average, 97.2% of the cattle in these three areas were indigenous and only 2.8% were crossbreed cattle. About 24% of the cows were affected with various reproductive problems such as longer calving intervals (> 430 days; 20.1%), repeat breeding (3.7%), abortion (5.1%), dystocia (6.7%) and retention of placenta (4.6%). A package of veterinary services comprising deworming, vaccination against important diseases, oestrus synchronization of sub-fertile cows, artificial insemination (A1) and management of repeat breeding cows was delivered for 1466 animals of the selected dairy households. Cattle health was improved by gaining body weight (80g/day/cow) and the average milk yield increased from 1.4 to 2.2 liters/day/cow after three months of veterinary services. A total of 268 sub-fertile cows were synchronized using PGF2α analogue and 67.5% of the treated cows showed oestrus after an average of 68-70 hrs and pregnancy was confirmed in 54.1% cows. The pregnancy rate of cows was 50% following AI of 115 cows using frozen semen. Eighty eight repeat breeding wows treated with gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) immediately after natural service had 29.5% pregnancy. All the dairy farmers were organized into 24 groups through motivation. An informal contractual arrangement for milk marketing was developed between the milk producing groups and Gowalas (Middleman) through series of discussion. Both parties were benefited in terms of a better milk price after developing this market channel. Package delivery of productive veterinary health care services improved the general health, production and fertility status of the dairy cows. Improved milk marketing channel with farmers’ good bargaining power facilitate to gate better economic return. Dairying implies substantial contribution to ensure the livelihood and food security of char dwellers.

Keywords: Livelihood, Herd health management, Milk market, Poor farmers

Location: Sariakhandi, Islampur and Belkuchi Upazilas of Bogra, Jamalpur and Sirajganj disgtricts

Start Date: 01-05-2009

End Date: 30-04-2011

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity:

Objectives:

a. Clinical nutrition and forage based cattle feeding b. Upgrading of desi cattle through cross breeding using A1 tool with frozen semen c. Improvement of cattle fetility through clinical intervention. d. Control of dairy cattle diseases through vaccination. e. Development of dairy farmers cooperative cociety/community. f. Analysis of economic impact of the project.

Methodology:

Selection of villages and participants,Clinical package intervention for herd health management,Formation of co-operative/society/community,Production records and economic evaluation,food security evaluation,market access to the milk producers,impact of future contracting

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agricultural University Research Progress, Volume-22, 2011. Proceedings of the workshop of BAU Research Progress, 02-03 April 2012 and Annual workshop on BAU research Progress: 2010-2011; BAURES, 02-03 April 2012, BAU, Mymensingh, 02-03-2012

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.	Budget: 2000000

Total Budget (Tk.) : 2000000

Achievement/Findings:

1) As a result of package delivery of veterinary services and milk market development, the cattle health, fertility, pregnancy rate and milk price increased. 2) The artificial insemination improved the local stock. 3) Organized group formation improved the bargaining power of the local livestock keepers for better milk price. 4) The productivity of livestock and profitability of livestock keepers have been increased.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings