Dear colleagues this is Datta Rangnrkar from India again mailing views and comments on topics 1 and 3.

 2. The contribution of research to the development of family poultry production systems.

 

·         There is very little research, in India, on family poultry production systems, economics and such related aspects and if there is some the results are not easily available (not well publicized). Having said that I must also mention that the major contribution of research has been to develop ‘low input varieties of birds (synthetics/hybrids)’ that looks like indigenous bird and needs low inputs. These varieties are developed by breeding farms / research institutes/centers of the Indian Council of Agri. Research (ICAR) as well as private hatcheries and recommended for distribution under Government schemes for development of family poultry. While there are claims that these new birds the real picture will emerge after the Govt. grants and subsidies are withdrawn.

·         Studies on role of family poultry from the perspective of livelihood systems perspective are lacking. With due apologies let me state that the ‘usual reductionist approach adopted in research’ does not suit studies on family poultry and there is need for paradigm change and adoption of ‘systems and participatory approach’. Results of studies with such an approach would help in making development of family poultry more effective.

·         While genetic characterization of indigenous fowl is lacking there is need to take up research related to health aspects on priority.

·         As always, the families living in relatively better developed areas get benefits of research.

·          There is need for shift from the conventional ‘Transfer of Technology’ approach and attempts should be made to assess and prioritize needs of family poultry and select appropriate technologies. However, the fact remains that family poultry does not attract much attention (for funding) in view of low commercial value. A good example is non-availability of ‘heat resistant or tolerant vaccine’ in India although in many parts of the country maintaining cold chain is not possible and hence poor coverage through vaccination of birds maintained by families in interior rural areas resulting in heavy losses.

·         The expertise developed in commercial poultry industry is not much use for family poultry. However, commercial hatcheries have made good contribution by developing a dual type/low input bird.

·         Any product of research (recommendations or technology) which is not only technically sound, economically beneficial but also socially adoptable and not risky would be welcome by family poultry producers. Help in developing low cost housing based on local material was most welcome by family producers.

 3. Competing or complementing commercial poultry production systems?

·          Household consumption vs. commercialization of family poultry - which is best? There is basic flaw in this concept since family poultry has multiple functions e.g. contribution to family income, nutrition and risk coverage (an addition is empowerment of women since it is usually managed by women).

·          Family poultry contributes substantially towards protein needs and in some states of India as much as 50% of poultry production is from family poultry. However, much of the contribution as protein source is hidden and not accounted for through conventional surveys carried out since the families do not keep records of home consumption or for social events.

·          As mentioned earlier family poultry does not have problem of selling the produce – consumers and retailers come to them in most cases. Families keeping small number of birds – indigenous fowl – under free-ranging low external input system have a niche market and get higher price for their produce. In general the family units are most likely to be competitive in view of low establishment cost and overheads.   

·          Traditional family poultry units do not compete for food/feed and are likely to meet food safety and even welfare standards as compared to commercial intensive system based farms (do not use growth promoters).

·          Rising per-capita income is increasing demand for products from traditional family poultry since people from peri-urban and urban areas are willing to pay higher price for products having more appealing taste and flavor. 

·          It is not proper to compare low external input family poultry and high external input commercial farms in an ad-hoc manner since each has place and situations in different regions of a developing country differ. For example in India there are several pockets where establishing large commercial farms is not feasible due to some constraints and family poultry can make substantial contribution to poultry products.  

Best wishes.


Datta 




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