Environmental assessment of the poultry sector of CFPR/TUP programme: experience of BRAC's ultra-poor poultry programme

Abstract

An environmental assessment of the poultry sector of "Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction/Targeting the Ultra Poor Program (CFPR/TUP)" programme of BRAC has been conducted. Special focus was given to health and environmental aspects of poultry rearing, including the housing and diseases of both humans and poultry, the surrounding environment, access to and sources of water, waste management, common property resources, and social conflicts related to the poultry programme. Data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and case studies during August 2003. Poultry rearing was found to be a promising income-generating activity for the ultra poor. A few obstacles related to health, resource use, resource management, and social conflicts were identified. There were some innovative initiatives taken by the TUP poultry members related to waste management, other sources of income and water access. Some steps were suggested to resolve social conflicts and health problems, to improve poultry housing and waste marketing, to increase nutritional intake and initiate intermediate income-generating projects, and to highlight management issues of common property resource.