Research Articles
Determinants of market participation by indigenous poultry farmers: a case study in Anuradhapura district in Sri Lanka
Authors:
- M.N.D.F. AbeykoonEmail M.N.D.F. Abeykoon
- J. Weerahewa
- G.L.L.P. Silva
Abstract
Backyard poultry farming provides multiple benefits to rural farm families in Sri Lanka. Indigenous chicken or the village chicken is the main component in backyard poultry rearing system. However, the indigenous chicken population is gradually being reduced in the country, mainly with the introduction of exotic breeds. In addition, market share of indigenous chicken is diminishing over the years. Identification of the characteristics of the farmers selling indigenous chicken and the factors that affect the market participation by indigenous chicken farmers will be useful in conservation and sustainable utilization of indigenous chicken. Hence, the objectives of this study were to identify the factors that determine poultry market participation and sales of indigenous chicken farmers. Those determinants were evaluated by using Heckman two stage econometric model. The study was carried out in Thirappane Veterinary Division (covering four selected villages) in Anuradhapura district. Data were collected by a household survey using a structured questionnaire from 104 households rearing indigenous chicken. The first step of the Heckman two stage procedure results showed that households’ decision to participate in the poultry market was significantly (p<0.05) affected by sex of household head and religion. The second stage estimation results revealed that the value of poultry sales was significantly (p<0.05) affected by the availability of market information, the number of children below 15 years in the household, bicycle ownership, type of breeds owned and the location of households (village).Further the results suggest that, establishment of effective market information service and identification of high yielding indigenous chicken breeds will enhance the sales of indigenous chicken farmers.
Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 24 (4): 347-361 (2013)
- Year: 2013
- Volume: 24 Issue: 4
- Page/Article: 347-361
- DOI: 10.4038/tar.v24i4.8020
- Published on 28 Aug 2015
- Peer Reviewed