ASSESSMENT OF CONSTRAINTS CONFRONTED BY POULTRY FARMERS AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN AT BRAHMANBARIA, BANGLADESH

The COVID-19 pandemic and successive lockdown have constituted an unprecedented emergency and sudden suffering on the global livestock sector. During pandemic situations, poultry farmers perceived different types of difficulties. The study was conducted in May 2020 in the Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh to assess the constraints confronted and crisis management practices adopted by the farmers. A number of 100 poultry farmers were selected randomly and data were assembled by direct interview method. Socio-economic data were scrutinized by statistical methods viz. frequency and percentage. Constraints of poultry farming were analyzed and ranked from I to X by Garret‘s ranking technique and percent analysis was used for ranking management practices. Results analysis revealed that difficulty in selling poultry products constraint with Garret‘s score of 63.30 was ranked first. Problems in transportation of poultry products (feed, live bird, chicks, meat, egg, medicine etc) and rumors that corona virus spread through birds ranked in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Poor price of poultry products (4th), non-availability of chicks (5th), high cost of inputs (6th), lack of awareness (7th), lack of financial support (8th), shortage of feed supply (9th), lack of veterinary facilities (10th) also ranked as constraints. The pandemic situation forced poultry farmers to made alterations in disease management with the treatment of sick birds over the phone (15%), through farmer's community (25%), and veterinary services (55%). Feeding practice continued with commercial feed (83%) but mixed feed (12%) was also used to reduce cost. In terms of product marketing, middlemen were the main client (25%), whereas selling to local markets were 20%, wholesaler 15%, small and medium farm holders supplied to the local retailer shop (15%) and direct to the consumer (10%). Globally, poultry industries will continue through facing the constrains so its management to be the primary issue for the industry and its strategic future.