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Socio-demographic Study of the Farmers of BARInd Area of Bangladesh

MI Haque
Department of Livestock Services, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

MJU Sarder
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

MA Islam
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

R Khaton
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

MH Islam
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

MA Hashem
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was carried out to evaluate the role of sheep in the food production systems, the socio-demographic scenarios, the constraints, opportunities to sheep production and indigenous knowledge of the sheep keepers. Structured questionnaires administered in 150 households were used to study the ownership patterns of livestock especially sheep and the socio-economic condition of the owners at Barind areas of two Upazilas in Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. The ownership of cattle, goats was higher (70.67% and 45.33% respectively) than sheep (18.67%), because cattle and goats are not affected by any ethnic, religious or cultural restrictions but the no. of sheep per family is higher (12.71%) than goat (4.94%) and cattle (3.74%). The frequency of keeping and flock size of sheep are inversely co-related to the amount of owning and accessing of land because of requiring minimum capital and easy management. In addition to cultural factors, sheep are less popular and thus less numerous than goats because of negative publicity of the taste and quality of their meat. Owners of sheep are less likely to be involved in off-farm activities (10.67%) and would often have no access to credit facilities. Women represented 63% of the keepers of sheep but they have fewer facilities (36%) to access the earnings. The results showed that middle-aged (56%), married (92%) household members especially women (63%) are more likely to own small ruminants. Natural grass and tree leaves are available all over the areas but abundant besides the canals and rivers. These findings highlighted the financing and social supporting roles that small ruminants, particularly sheep are playing in the study area. In order to develop suitable technologies, formulate policies through eradicating constraints to improve productivity and enhance livelihoods these findings might be strong instruments.

Keywords: Barind areas, Keepers of sheep, Livelihoods, Natural grass, Socio-demographic, Small ruminants, Upazila

Location: In Barind region of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Livestock and poultry

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were designed to assess the role of sheep in the food production systems of this region, examine their advantages and disadvantages, analyze the constraints limiting their further contribution to the welfare of small farm/low-income rural producers, prescribe measures for overcoming these constraints and make recommendations related to potential donor involvement in support of the development of sheep production.

Methodology:

Study area: The study was carried out in Barind region of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh. Among the rural activities, rain-fed agriculture (51.33%) is the most important, followed by livestock keeping (13%) and off-farm activities (3%). Poultry, goat, sheep and cattle were the main livestock species kept. The Barind tract lies in the monsoon region of the summer dominant hemisphere. The climate of the area is generally warm and humid. This region has already been designated as draught-prone. The average temperature ranges from 25⁰ C to 45°C in the hottest season and 5⁰C to 15°C in the coolest season with an average relative humidity of 75%. The research area was located between 24 0.18' and 24 0.36' North latitude and between 88 0.17? and 88 0.43' East longitude. Data collection: Data were collected through a prescribed questionnaire. One hundred and fifty farmers were randomly investigated to select thirty farmers in each of the upazilas as sampling frame of whole farmers of mentioned two upazilas of 35 villages. This list was updated in conjunction with the local authorities, people’s representatives, officers and field workers of the livestock department on the basis of all criteria necessary for conducting good practices of sheep rearing. Out of 150 respondents, there were 28 sheep owners. All of sheep rearers were interviewed comprehensively about sheep management. Collected data was coded after ending of data collection and then compiled, tabulated and analyzed through SPSS-v-23 computer package program.

Source of Information: J Earth Environ Sci, an open-access journal, Volume 4: Issue 01; ISSN: 2577-064

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.29011/2577-0640.100194

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study, it reveals that all sheep farmers in Barind areas were marginal in type and they used traditional extensive sheep rearing. Barind sheep were gentle, capable on simple grazing of natural feed without or a little bit of concentrated supplementation and easy to handle even to a woman. Sheep farmers were less educated, untrained, savings less, miserable life leaded people. They did not offer environment-friendly shelter to their sheep. Most of them did not capable and habited to proper vaccination, treatment and deworming. The yearly earning from sheep rearing per farmer was only 14026 taka. All the farmers mentioned abundant market facilities for sheep. So, adopting improved technologies through training and awareness and minimizing reviled constraints, sheep rearing might be a valuable instrument of women empowerment, availing education facilities, improved livelihood and after all the source of improved and safe animal protein.

Knowledge Management: Journal