Socio-personal background of broiler husbandry trainees of South Kamrup district of Assam

A study was conducted to evaluate the social, personal and economical variables of broiler farmers of South Kamrup district of Assam. For this, 60 number of farmers from 6 villages who were exposed to a short-term training programme on scientific management on broiler chicken farming were selected at random. The study revealed that more number of educated youths were interested for broiler farming; whereas, lower financial background (yearly family income of lesser than Rs. 30000.00) played positive role to run the enterprise. Most of the farmers started the venture only recently (1–2 years old) who had been inspired to start farming from their friends. It was found that majority of the farmers carried out general farm operations like feeding, watering etc. without using extra labourer. Overwhelming number of farmers ventured broiler farming by self financing. Various constraints faced by the farmers were evaluated; out of which lack of financial support was found to the most prominent factor followed in the order by lack of scientific training, lack of veterinary services, problem of marketing of saleable broilers and non-availability of quality chicks. Broiler production units were in the form of 200–500 numbers per batch, which were found as subsidiary income for the family or for self employment. It could be concluded that the broiler farms of south Kamrup district of Assam were small sized, housing was of kutcha (temporary) type, managed by locally available materials and lack of finance was the most important constraint among others faced by the farmers.