PROFITABILITY AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY OF BROILER FARMING IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF GAZIPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

Bangladesh, being a predominantly agrarian country, encompasses a large pressure of population and to satisfy nutrient content and other needs, broiler plays a crucial role in providing nutrition and generating income and employment opportunities. This study examines the socio-economic status, profitability and resource use efficiency of broiler production in selected areas of Gazipur district. A total of 60 broiler farms from five villages of Kaliakhair Upzila of Gazipur district were selected by adopting simple random method by using interview schedule through face to face interview. Both tabular and Cob-Douglas production function were used to find out the results. The study showed that on average total cost of per thousand broilers per year was Tk. 942025. It was revealed that the variable cost per thousand broilers annually was Tk. 885348 which constitutes 93.98 percent of total cost. The total fixed cost of per thousand broilers per year was Tk. 56677. It was evident that the gross return per thousand broilers per year was Tk. 1338400. The net return over total cost of per thousand broilers per year was Tk. 396375. The benefit cost ratios of broiler farming were 1.51 and 1.42 on variable cost basis and total cost basis, respectively. The study showerd that broiler production was a profitable enterprise. The study indicated that out of six variables included within the function, three variables have positive impact on the return of broiler farms. The study also determined the resource use efficiency of some specific variables such as feed, day-old chick, human labor and veterinary services on output among which feed and day old chick were underutilized where human labor and veterinary services were over utilized. This study also identified some economic, marketing, technical, social and natural problems faced by farmers during rearing the broiler. Finally, on the premise of findings of this study, some recommendations were made such as the farmers should be provided with reasonable price of feed and day-old chick, credit and training facilities and proper price of broiler product for the development of this enterprise in Bangladesh.