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 grants and subsidies are withdrawn.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