Impact of intervention on socio-economic status of village chicken rearing farmers: a case in Karuwalagaswewa and Thirappane veterinary divisions
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Date
2016-11-05
Authors
Thilini, H.W.L.
Korale Gedara, P.
Silva, G.L.L.P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Village chickens contribute to 15% of the national egg production. Although the village chickens arepoor producers of eggs, farmers tend to rear them because of the favorable characteristics exhibited by village chicken. This study was conducted to evaluate the change in the socio economic status of village chicken farmers in Karuwalagaswewa and Thirappane veterinary ranges due to intervention done by a recent project. A sample of eighty seven farmers representing four villages was interviewed by a detailed survey. The improvement of the village chicken farmers in terms of livelihood and farming conditions after the intervention was determined using Wilcoxon sign rank test and simple mean percentages. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted using Net Present Value and Benefit Cost Ratio to evaluate the worthiness of establishing mini hatcheries in both sites. The results of the cost-benefit analysis showed that the establishment of mini hatcheries was a worthy intervention. The awareness about diseases, poultry housing management, knowledge level of farmers on poultry farming, connection with other farmers, communication ability and knowledge on marketing were significantly high (P<0.05) among the farmers who participated in the project as a result of the training programs conducted by the project. However, obtaining veterinary services and the practice of using vaccinations to prevent diseases has not significantly improved (P>0.05) by the interventions done through the project. Nevertheless, the ranking index indicated that the most affecting constraint revealed by village chicken farmers was lapses in obtaining veterinary services. Thus, the findings of the present study indicated that the project interventions could make an impact on direct drivers of socio-economic development of the farming community whereas indirect drivers such as linking with service providers and allied offices was least influenced. Accordingly, the overall impact of the project intervention on socio economic development of village chicken farmers was high. However, the impact could be further enhanced through an integrated approach in addressing indirect drivers influencing socio-economic status of farmers.
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Keywords
Karuwalagaswewa , village chicken farmers , socio-economic development