IDR : VOL. 10, NO. 1, ( JANUARY-JUNE, 2012) : 45-53 ISSN : 0972-9437 A STUDY ON PROBLEMS OF PRACTICING POULTRY FARMING IN NAMAKKAL DISTRICT E. P. Vijayakumar * & V. Ramamoorthy ** ABSTRACT Poultry farming is the raising of domesticated birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, for the purpose of farming meat or eggs for food. Poultry are farmed in great numbers with chickens being the most numerous. More than 50 billion chickens are raised annually as a source of food, for both their meat and their eggs. Chickens raised for eggs are usually called laying hens whilst chickens raised for meat are often called broilers. This paper deals with problems of practicing poultry farming in Namakkal district. It outlines the various issues and problems faced by poultry farmers in the study area. INTRODUCTION With the expansion of India s poultry industry, the country s government must address a number of new issues, including economic tradeoffs between poultry producers, feed producers, and consumers, potential public health concerns associated with traditional slaughter and marketing practices, and appropriate tariff and nontariff policies for imports of poultry and industry inputs. Although government policy has traditionally given priority to promoting self-reliance in agricultural products, it is unclear how future policy will weigh the competing interests of, among others, poultry and egg producers, consumers, and feed producers. Poultry sector integration can yield substantial benefits for the sector and, particularly, consumers of poultry meat. Feed shortages, however, can have significant adverse effects on producers and consumers of poultry meat and, particularly, eggs. Although Indian corn producers may gain from higher prices associated with import restrictions, these gains must be weighed against losses to producers and consumers of poultry meat and eggs, as well as to the potential international competitiveness of Indian poultry production. Development and adoption of technology that can improve the competitiveness of domestic feed production would allow all producers and consumers to benefit from poultry sector expansion. * Research Scholar in Economics, Annamalai University. ** Associate Professor of Economics, Annamalai University.
46 E. P. VIJAYAKUMAR & V. RAMAMOORTHY Intensive poultry-production with improved grade birds can be very successful and can make a lot of money. But the risks are very high indeed and the cost of failure may be huge. In many parts of the world, ordinary village poultry production involves chickens scavenging for their food. They usually have no special house, but sleep perhaps in a shed or cookhouse. Few eggs are laid, many young birds die, or are killed; growth is slow. But this system involves little financial risk to the farmer. The local chickens are well adapted to local conditions and more resistant to disease. Too often, people believe that there is little point in improving village poultry. But village poultry production can be greatly improved without much risk of failure. POOR MANAGEMENT The management in intensive poultry-keeping must be very good. There must be strict hygiene control: e.g. vaccination against disease, foot dips at the door, disinfecting the house for new chickens. There must be enough space for each bird and sufficient waterers, feeders, nest boxes and perches. If day-old chicks are bought, they must be kept warm and fed a correct diet. POOR RECORD-KEEPING Production and money records are needed. Chickens not producing well (eggs or meat) must be culled (sold or killed) quickly. WRONG TYPE OF CHICKEN The chickens may have come originally from another country. They may only be able to produce well in a very different type of housing, or under a different management system. Under village conditions, local chickens are often the most reliable and profitable. PROJECT STARTED TOO LARGE Perhaps 200 layer chicks were bought before the skills and knowledge in intensive poultry-keeping were gained, or before it was certain the chicks would do well and the produce sell well. INACCURATE BUDGETING The farmer or project members need to work out accurately, before beginning, exactly how much food growing chickens eat. Other costs-medicines, vaccines, equipment-must be added. With layers it will be six months before the first eggs are laid; in the meantime there will be no income. FEED SUPPLY PROBLEMS Perhaps feed supply or quality failed; there was no more cash to buy feed; there was no transport. Laying chickens will stop producing if feed quality changes or if they have to go without feed or water for just 24 hours. Chickens eat similar food to people, so if food is short, intensive poultry may be in competition with people. This inevitably will lead to supply problems.
A STUDY ON PROBLEMS OF PRACTICING POULTRY FARMING IN NAMAKKAL DISTRICT 47 METHODS AND MATERIALS This study is undertaken in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu. Five blocks are selected from the district for the purpose of present study viz., Namakkal, Thirucenkodu, Mohanur, Rasipuram and Paramathivellore are selected for the purpose of present study. From each village, 40 poultry farmers are selected a sample. The relevant data relating to problems of practicing poultry farming are collected from the respondents with the help of well structured interview schedule. The researcher has employed 5 point rating scale to collect the data from the respondents. The collected data are classified and tabulated. The major findings are presented here in the form of results and discussion. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A study of data in Table 1 indicates the block wise respondents views on problems of poultry farming. It can be assessed with the help of 15 factors. These include Table 1 Block Wise Respondents Views on Problems of Poultry Farming Variables Namakkal Thirucenkodu Mohanur Rasipuram Paramathi Total vellore Problem of predators 3.1 3.36 3.42 3.98 4.1 3.68 Lack of technical guidance 2.96 3.16 3.15 4.12 3.99 3.56 Inadequate knowledge of 2.85 3.12 3.42 3.98 4.12 3.60 balanced feeding Losses due to bacterial 3.11 2.46 2.52 2.98 4.1 3.19 and viral diseases Inadequate knowledge 2.46 3.1 3.14 3.85 3.95 3.43 of vaccination schedule Problem of ectoparasite 2.56 3.3 3.36 3.65 3.05 3.29 Non availability of 2.81 3.15 3.78 3.98 4.1 3.62 veterinary service Low hatchability of eggs 3.1 3.15 3.65 4.05 3.98 3.65 during summer Inability in selecting eggs 3.12 3.26 3.11 3.98 4.1 3.61 for hatching Lack of land and 2.52 3.52 3.75 4.01 3.98 3.64 construction materials Problem of spoilage 2.46 3.11 3.26 3.66 4.1 3.42 Inadequate marketing 2.52 3.15 3.42 3.52 3.88 3.44 facility Price fluctuation 3.05 3.52 3.89 4.14 4.12 3.83 Market competition 2.89 3.46 3.41 3.52 3.42 3.45 Increase in feed cost 3.39 3.52 3.36 3.44 4.15 3.67 Total 2.86 3.22 3.38 3.79 3.94 3.54 Source: Computed. ANOVA Source of Variation SS df MS F F crit Rows 2.441048 14 0.174361 2.380354 1.872588 Columns 11.45037 4 2.862592 39.07983 2.536579 Error 4.101992 56 0.07325 Total 17.99341 74
48 E. P. VIJAYAKUMAR & V. RAMAMOORTHY problem of predators, lack of technical guidance, inadequate knowledge of balanced feeding, losses due to bacterial and viral diseases, inadequate knowledge of vaccination schedule, problem of ectoparasite, non availability of veterinary service, low hatchability of eggs during summer, inability in selecting eggs for hatching, lack of land and construction materials, problem of spoilage, inadequate marketing facility, price fluctuation, market competition and increase in feed cost. Out of the total chosen 15 factors, the respondents rate first order problems of poultry farming in terms of price fluctuation as it secures a mean score of 3.83 on a 5 point rating scale. This is the highest level problem of poultry farming. The respondents rate second order problem of poultry farming in terms of problem of predators as it secures a mean score of 3.68 on a 5 point rating scale. increase in feed cost is rated at third order priority as it secures a mean score of 3.67 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents rate fourth order problems of poultry farming towards low hatchability of eggs during summer as it secures a mean score of 3.65 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents rank the fifth order problem of poultry farming in the form of lack of land and construction materials as it secures a mean score of 3.64 on a 5 point rating scale. The non availability of veterinary service is rated at sixth order problems of poultry farming as per the perceptions of the respondents. In this perception, the respondents secured a mean score of 3.62 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents rate seventh order problems of poultry farming with respect to inability in selecting eggs for hatching as it secures a mean score of 3.61 on a 5 point rating scale. inadequate knowledge of balanced feeding is rated at eighth order as per the respondents secured mean score of 3.60 on a 5 point rating scale. lack of technical guidance is rated at ninth order as per the respondents secured mean score of 3.56 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents cite tenth order problem of poultry farming in the form of market competition as per the respondents secured mean score of 3.45 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents rate eleventh order problem of poultry farming in terms of inadequate marketing facility as it secures a mean score of 3.44 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents rate twelfth order problem of poultry farming in terms of inadequate knowledge of vaccination schedule as it secures a mean score of 3.43 on a 5 point rating scale. Problem of spoilage is rated at thirteenth order priority as it secures a mean score of 3.42 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents rate fourteenth order problem of poultry farming towards problem of ectoparasite as it secures a mean score of 3.29 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents rank the fifteenth order problems of poultry farming in terms of losses due to bacterial and viral diseases as it secures a mean score of 3.19 on a 5 point rating scale. The block wise analysis reveals the following facts. The respondents of Paramathivellore block rank the first position with respect to their overall problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 3.94 on a 5 point rating scale. The Rasipuram block respondents hold the second position with respect to their overall utilization of local governance as they secured a mean
A STUDY ON PROBLEMS OF PRACTICING POULTRY FARMING IN NAMAKKAL DISTRICT 49 score of 3.79 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents of Mohanur block stand at the third position with respect to their overall problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 3.38 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents of Thirucenkodu block rank the fourth position with respect to overall ratings on problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 3.22 on a 5 point rating scale. The respondents of Namakkal block are put at the last position with respect to their overall problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 2.86 on a 5 point rating scale. The Anova two way model is applied for further discussion. At one point, the computed Anova value 2.38, is greater than its tabulated value at 5 per cent level significance. Hence, there is a significant variation among the chosen variables on problems of poultry farming as per the ratings of the respondents. At another point, the computed Anova value 39.08, is greater than its tabulated value at 5 per cent level significance. Hence, variation among the blocks is statistically identified as significant as per the respondents overall ratings on problems of poultry farming. Table 2 Caste Wise Respondents Views on Problems of poultry farming Variables Forward Backward Most Scheduled Total caste caste Backward caste caste Problem of predators 3.11 3.44 4.11 4.15 3.68 Lack of technical guidance 2.98 3.16 3.78 3.98 3.56 Inadequate knowledge of balanced feeding 2.90 3.43 4.05 4.12 3.60 Losses due to bacterial and viral diseases 3.12 2.56 3.97 3.97 3.19 Inadequate knowledge of vaccination schedule 2.52 3.15 3.89 4.07 3.43 Problem of ectoparasite 2.62 3.36 4.02 3.80 3.29 Non availability of veterinary service 2.86 3.78 4.07 3.85 3.62 Low hatchability of eggs during summer 3.12 3.65 3.95 4.00 3.65 Inability in selecting eggs for hatching 3.15 3.12 4.05 4.05 3.61 Lack of land and construction materials 2.65 3.77 3.56 3.98 3.64 Problem of spoilage 2.49 3.25 4.11 3.87 3.42 Inadequate marketing facility 2.56 3.42 3.87 4.11 3.44 Price fluctuation 3.15 3.89 4.21 4.12 3.83 Market competition 2.86 3.42 3.41 3.99 3.45 Increase in feed cost 3.36 3.39 4.13 4.20 3.67 Total 2.90 3.39 3.95 4.02 3.54 Source: Computed ANOVA Source of Variation SS df MS F F crit Rows 1.132693 14 0.080907 1.479699 1.935009 Columns 12.41873 3 4.139578 75.7086 2.827049 Error 2.296467 42 0.054678 Total 15.84789 59 A study of data in Table 2 indicates the caste wise respondents views on problems of poultry farming. The scheduled caste respondents rank the first
50 E. P. VIJAYAKUMAR & V. RAMAMOORTHY position with respect to their overall ratings on problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 4.02 on a 5 point rating scale. The most backward caste respondents take the second position with respect to their overall ratings on problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 3.95 on a 5 point rating scale. The backward caste respondents hold the third position with respect to their overall ratings on problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 3.39 on a 5 point rating scale. The forward caste respondents are put at the last position with respect to their overall ratings on problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 2.90 on a 5 point rating scale. The Anova two way model is applied for further discussion. At one point, the computed Anova value 1.48, lesser than its tabulated value at 5 per cent level significance. Hence, there is no significant variation among the chosen variables on problems of poultry farming as per the ratings of the respondents. At another point, the computed Anova value 75.71, is greater than its tabulated value at 5 per cent level significance. Hence, variation among the blocks is statistically identified as significant as per the respondents overall ratings on problems of poultry farming. Table 3 Education Wise Respondents Views on Problems of Poultry Farming Variables Primary Secondary Higher Degree Total secondary Problem of predators 4.10 3.90 3.11 2.96 3.68 Lack of technical guidance 3.87 3.67 2.96 3.10 3.56 Inadequate knowledge of balanced feeding 4.11 3.85 3.12 2.26 3.60 Losses due to bacterial and viral diseases 3.88 3.11 2.56 1.89 3.19 Inadequate knowledge of vaccination schedule 4.10 3.65 3.18 2.26 3.43 Problem of ectoparasite 3.85 3.98 3.28 2.05 3.29 Non availability of veterinary service 3.65 4.05 3.20 2.11 3.62 Low hatchability of eggs during summer 3.98 3.77 3.70 2.32 3.65 Inability in selecting eggs for hatching 4.11 3.89 3.25 2.01 3.61 Lack of land and construction materials 3.98 4.10 2.98 2.05 3.64 Problem of spoilage 3.86 3.46 2.78 2.13 3.42 Inadequate marketing facility 4.12 4.14 2.85 2.26 3.44 Price fluctuation 4.14 3.69 3.12 2.36 3.83 Market competition 4.06 4.21 3.42 2.05 3.45 Increase in feed cost 4.20 3.46 3.74 2.12 3.67 Total 4.00 3.80 3.15 2.26 3.54 Source: Computed ANOVA Source of Variation SS df MS F F crit Rows 1.44586 14 0.103276 1.391032 1.935009 Columns 27.54325 3 9.181084 123.661 2.827049 Error 3.118247 42 0.074244 Total 32.10736 59 A study of data in Table 3 indicates the education wise respondents views on problems of poultry farming. The primary level educated respondents take
A STUDY ON PROBLEMS OF PRACTICING POULTRY FARMING IN NAMAKKAL DISTRICT 51 the first position with respect to their overall problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 4.00 on a 5 point rating scale. The secondary level educated respondents rank the second position with respect to their overall problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 3.80 on a 5 point rating scale. The higher secondary level educated respondents hold the third position with respect to their overall ratings on problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 3.15 on a 5 point rating scale. The degree level educated respondents are pushed down to the last position with respect to their overall problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 2.26 on a 5 point rating scale. The Anova two way model is applied for further discussion. At one point, the computed Anova value 1.39, is lesser than its tabulated value at 5 per cent level significance. Hence, there is a significant variation among the chosen variables on problems of poultry farming as per the ratings of the respondents. At another point, the computed Anova value 123.66, is greater than its tabulated value at 5 per cent level significance. Hence, variation among the educational groups is statistically identified as significant as per the respondents overall ratings on problems of poultry farming. It could be seen clearly from the above discussion that there is a inverse relation between the educational status of the respondents and their overall problems of poultry farming. It could be noted higher the education status of the respondents, lower their overall problems of poultry farming and the vice versa. Table 4 Farm Size Wise Respondents Views on Problems of Poultry Farming Variables Marginal Small Medium Large Total Problem of predators 3.98 3.10 3.05 2.52 3.68 Lack of technical guidance 3.77 3.06 2.90 2.10 3.56 Inadequate knowledge of balanced feeding 3.97 3.42 2.48 2.05 3.60 Losses due to bacterial and viral diseases 3.92 2.51 2.49 1.98 3.19 Inadequate knowledge of vaccination schedule 3.85 3.16 3.10 2.49 3.43 Problem of ectoparasite 4.05 3.26 2.85 2.05 3.29 Non availability of veterinary service 4.10 3.19 2.96 2.11 3.62 Low hatchability of eggs during summer 3.96 3.68 2.87 2.49 3.65 Inability in selecting eggs for hatching 3.90 3.05 2.77 1.97 3.61 Lack of land and construction materials 4.02 2.96 2.52 2.07 3.64 Problem of spoilage 3.42 2.77 2.02 2.05 3.42 Inadequate marketing facility 4.12 2.89 2.08 1.96 3.44 Price fluctuation 3.65 3.02 2.85 2.05 3.83 Market competition 4.20 3.49 2.49 2.11 3.45 Increase in feed cost 3.42 3.78 2.89 2.14 3.67 Total 3.89 3.16 2.69 2.14 3.54 Source: Computed ANOVA Source of Variation SS df MS F F crit Rows 1.875343 14 0.133953 2.244734 1.935009 Columns 24.63815 3 8.212717 137.6255 2.827049 Error 2.506323 42 0.059674 Total 29.01982 59
52 E. P. VIJAYAKUMAR & V. RAMAMOORTHY A study of data in Table 4 indicates the farm size wise respondents problems of poultry farming. The small farm size respondents occupy the first position with respect to their overall problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 3.89 on a 5 point rating scale. The marginal farm size respondents take the second position with respect to their overall ratings on problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 3.16 on a 5 point rating scale. The medium farm size respondents hold the third position with respect to their overall ratings on problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 2.69 on a 5 point rating scale. The large farm size respondents are pushed down to the last position with respect to their overall problems of poultry farming as they secured a mean score of 2.14 on a 5 point rating scale. The Anova two way model is applied for further discussion. At one point, the computed Anova value 2.24, is greater than its tabulated value at 5 per cent level significance. Hence, there is a significant variation among the chosen variables on problems of poultry farming as per the ratings of the respondents. At another point, the computed Anova value 137.63, is greater than its tabulated value at 5 per cent level significance. Hence, variation among the farm size groups is statistically identified as significant as per the respondents overall ratings on problems of poultry farming. It could be seen clearly from the above discussion that there is a inverse relation between the farm size of the respondents and their ratings on overall problems of poultry farming. It could be noted higher the Farm size status of the respondents, lower their overall problems of poultry farming and the vice versa. CONCLUSION It could be seen clearly from the above discussion that the respondents rate high level problems of poultry farming with reference to price fluctuation, problem of predators, increase in feed cost, low hatchability of eggs during summer and lack of land and construction materials. The respondents rate moderate level problems of poultry farming with reference to non availability of veterinary service, inability in selecting eggs for hatching, knowledge of balanced feeding, lack of technical guidance and market competition. The respondents rate low level problems of poultry farming with reference to inadequate marketing facility, inadequate knowledge of vaccination schedule, problem of spoilage, problem of ectoparasite and losses due to bacterial and viral diseases. It is observed that there is a inverse relation between the caste status of the respondents and their overall problems of poultry farming. It could be noted higher the caste status of the respondents, lower their overall ratings on problems of poultry farming and the vice versa. References Chicken from Farm to Table USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Fsis.usda.gov. 2011-04-06. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
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