Bangladesh's native chicken has long been a companion of rural households. Today, it is not only a source of nutrition but is increasingly seen as a promising sector for income generation, women's economic empowerment and rural economic development.
Around 70% of rural families raise native chickens in some form, and indigenous breeds still account for a significant share of the country's poultry population. Yet despite its vast potential, stakeholders say the sector has not achieved the success it deserves due to constraints ranging from production to marketing.
According to experts, disease outbreaks, shortages of quality chicks, high feed costs, weak market linkages and the dominance of intermediaries remain the main challenges. While farmers in villages sell native chickens at around Tk450 per kilogram, the same birds are sold in cities for Tk600-700, creating a wide price gap that rarely benefits producers.
Stakeholders believe the sector could become a major driver of rural employment, nutrition security and economic growth if cooperative marketing systems, easier access to credit, quality vaccines and chicks, and direct market access for farmers can be ensured. The key question now is how much is being done to turn that potential into reality.
These views emerged at a national roundtable titled "Building a Resilient Native Chicken Economy in Bangladesh", held recently at The Business Standard conference room in Dhaka. The event was jointly organised by Heifer International Bangladesh and The Business Standard.
Moderated by Sajjadur Rahman, Deputy Editor of The Business Standard, the discussion brought together government officials, researchers, poultry entrepreneurs, development organisations and farmer representatives.
The government is committed to developing indigenous chicken breeds and other local livestock resources. The richer a country's own breeds, culture and traditions are, the stronger its identity on the global stage.
Research has led to the development of improved native chicken breeds capable of producing 140-170 eggs a year, creating new opportunities for the rural economy. Around 80-90% of Bangladesh's poultry farmers are still smallholders, making income enhancement and capacity building essential.
Native chicken farming can become more profitable if four key elements are ensured: improved breeds, suitable housing, balanced feed and regular vaccination. Strengthening the rural economy requires empowering marginal farmers financially. Through coordinated efforts by the public and private sectors, native chicken farming can be transformed into a profitable and sustainable industry.
Sustainable growth requires more than increasing production; it also requires ensuring farmers' profitability.
Farmers naturally choose production systems that offer lower risks and higher returns. Production costs, market prices and productivity must therefore be balanced to keep farmers interested in the sector over the long term.
Sustainable development of the native chicken sector requires strong partnerships among government agencies, the private sector, research institutions and development organisations.
Many small-scale projects and studies on native chickens have been conducted in Bangladesh over the years. However, it is now time to consolidate those experiences into a long-term, nationwide programme. Short-term projects often end just as good practices are being identified. A longer-term strategy involving all stakeholders is needed.
Turning native chicken farming into a commercial industry requires simultaneous investment in technology, training and market access.
Field experience shows that mortality rates can be reduced from 50% to below 3% through balanced feed, regular vaccination and improved management practices. Community-based models involving farmers, hatcheries and local entrepreneurs can reduce costs and improve service delivery.
Local chick production through incubators and coordinated feed and vaccine distribution can create a sustainable production system while generating income opportunities for women, youth and small farmers.
Ensuring biosecurity and rapidly delivering locally developed vaccines to farmers are critical for sustainable growth of the poultry sector.
Research-based vaccines must reach farmers quickly, especially smallholders who need affordable and accessible vaccination services. Demand for eggs and poultry meat is growing rapidly, while consumer interest in native chickens has also increased significantly. Products once found only occasionally in supermarkets are now stocked regularly.
"Therefore, we need to prepare now by implementing strategic interventions to strengthen and streamline the native chicken supply chain, ensuring consistent production, aggregation, and market availability."
Native chicken is no longer merely a household asset; it has become a premium product.
Investment requirements are relatively low, and risks remain manageable. However, effective disease control, training and quality services are essential. Government farms could establish separate facilities for indigenous breeds, produce quality chicks and distribute them among farmers.
To fully utilise the commercial potential of native chickens, Bangladesh must think beyond small-scale production.
Demand continues to rise, making it difficult for smallholders alone to meet future market needs. Significant gaps remain in vaccination, brooding management, lighting systems and proper vaccine use. Even farmers who vaccinate regularly often fail to achieve desired results because cold-chain management and application methods are inadequate.
"The Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) has successfully developed high-performing native (deshi) chicken breeds with significant potential to increase rural poultry productivity. We should explore partnerships with interested institutions to facilitate the dissemination, scaling, and adoption of these improved breeds, thereby strengthening the native chicken value chain and meeting the growing market demand."
Training and technical support have significantly increased my income from native chicken farming.
However, the biggest challenge now is the high cost of feed. Since feed is usually sold in large sacks, small farmers often have to buy at retail prices, raising production costs. Without nutritious feed, egg production declines, and profitability suffers.
One of the main reasons consumers prefer native chickens is their distinctive taste and meat quality. Therefore, preserving the breed's unique genetic characteristics is just as important as improving
productivity.
Newcastle disease remains one of the leading causes of mortality among native chickens. A coordinated mass vaccination programme could significantly reduce disease prevalence.
About 90% of Bangladesh's native chickens are non-descriptive local breeds. Nearly 70% of rural households are involved in native chicken farming in some way. Even a modest increase in productivity could therefore make a significant contribution to national animal protein production.
Farmers sell native chickens in villages for around Tk450 per kilogram, while urban consumers pay Tk600-700. Cooperative marketing systems, links with supermarkets and easier access to credit could help expand the sector commercially.
To unlock the full potential of the industry, the government should launch a dedicated project focused on native chicken development.
Native chickens are valued for their distinctive flavour and aroma, qualities not found in broiler or Sonali chickens.
This explains their strong market demand and premium prices. However, a significant share of the price difference between farmgate and retail markets is captured by intermediaries, meaning neither producers nor consumers receive the full benefit.
For the sector to become sustainable, every stage of the value chain must function effectively.
Model breeders, hatcheries, chick-rearing units, poultry workers and marketing systems are all interconnected. Weaknesses in quality egg production and hatching can affect the entire chain.
Free-range management also remains important, as obtaining a significant share of feed from natural sources reduces production costs and increases farmers' profitability.
It is difficult for small and marginal farmers to manage production, vaccination, feed procurement and marketing individually.
Community-based production systems can reduce costs, improve service delivery and organise production more efficiently. Joint efforts are needed across vaccination, chick production, feed supply and market access. Collective vaccine use would reduce wastage, while bulk feed purchases would lower transportation and procurement costs.
chicken market / experts
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