Research article Farmer’s constraints in receiving animal health services in rural areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the constraints faced by the farmers in receiving animal health services in some selected areas of Bangladesh. Another objective was to explore relationship of constraints faced by the farmers in receiving animal health services with that of selected farmers’ characteristics. The study was conducted in four upazilas, namely Companyganj under Sylhet district, Modhukhali under Faridpur district, Mathbaria under Perojpur district and Mithamoin under Kishoreganj district. Data were collected from a sample of 480 farmers by using a structured interview schedule and FGD during the months of March to August 2010. Data were collected from two groups of farmers, those residing in the villages near the upazila headquarter and those in remote areas. Farmers’ constraints in receiving animal health services was measured on the basis of their responses to the questions asked against a four point rated scale. The identified major constraints for receiving veterinary services were: (i) unavailability of veterinary doctors in appropriate time, (ii) high cost of medicines and vaccines, (iii) unavailability of veterinary doctors in the locality especially in remote areas, (iv) inadequate supply of necessary medicines from hospitals, (v) unsatisfactory level of services in hospitals, and (vi) high cost of service fee as charged by veterinary doctors during doorstep service. Correlation analysis showed that farmers’ extent of constraints in receiving veterinary services had significantly negative correlation with their education, farm size, annual income and organizational participation, while no such relationship were established with their age, household size and training exposure.