Insights into Information Perception in Poultry Farming Systems

Abstract

Indian poultry industry has found to be more structured and evolved as a dynamic organization in last two decades. Planning, organizing, directing, monitoring and controlling can profoundly be seen. Indian poultry industry contributes significantly to total livestock sectors contribution to India's GDP. India's poultry meat production is 3.4 million tons and its eggs production is sixty-five million tons and industry ranks second and third in worlds ranking in meat and eggs production respectively (FAO). The data was collected from stakeholders with the help of pretested interview schedule. The separate interview schedule was prepared for broiler farmers (100 samples), breeder farmers (10 samples) and processing cum distribution centers (20 samples). The study revealed that the majority of the poultry farmers, 63 per cent were aged between 35 to 54 years. Young generation farmers, aged between 20 to 34 years, 37 per cent, seemed lesser interested in poultry farming. In addition, women farmers were on only 3 per cent out of total sample farmers surveyed. It is indicative of the need for the promotion of poultry farming as a source of women empowerment. Almost 81 per cent farmers stated that poultry farming is their main occupation and major source of income where they have fulltime business commitment. Among the sample farmers, majority of, 52 per cent, were new entrant. The majority of farmers, 54 per cent, were rearing 5000 to 9999 birds at their farm and they were classified under medium-sized poultry farms. The average area of small farms was 2785.71 sq. ft., medium farm was 5886.89 sq. ft. and large farms was 18403 sq. ft. All the sample farmers had permanent housing (100 per cent) with pucca flooring (90 per cent). Almost 81 per cent farmers had their poultry shades in agriculture farms.