Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Poultry Sector in Northern Bangladesh

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an undesirable impact and uncertainty in the poultry sector of Bangladesh. COVID-19 and its accompanying effects have severely affected about 65–70 thousand commercial poultry farms in Bangladesh. Many small and medium poultry farms are closed down or halted production due to the burden of continuous losses. There have been about 30-45% reductions in day-old chick production, 35-40% reductions in poultry feed production and 40-50% in the sale of medicines and other pharmaceutical products. It has created an unwanted mismatch between the demand for and supply of poultry products. This study attempts to determine to what extent the sector has been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Data were collected from 81 Layer farms in Paba and Bagmara Upazila, 30 Broiler farms in Charghat Upazila and 30 Sonali farms in Paba Upazila of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh using a pretested interview questionnaire. Respondents are interviewed between January 2021 and early July 2021. Collected data are analysed, and the result shows that 88% of Layer, 83% of Broiler and 73% of Sonali farmers do not get sufficient market demand for their products during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 90% of Layer, 86% Broiler and 76% Sonali producers do not get enough market price for eggs and meat. Result also shows the loss among Layer, Broiler and Sonali farms and producers. About 81% of Layer, 76% Broiler and 86% Sonali producers say that they do not get financial support from the government to mitigate losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government should retaliate by providing financial assistance to poultry producers and could develop long-term, sustainable strategies to ensure further capacity building.