Problems in contract broiler farming as perceived by the farmers

Rearing of broilers has emerged as a fastest growing segment in the poultry industry. Within a span of 20 years, there had been a phenomenal rise in its production. However, the major constraints in rapid development of broiler industry have been the high cost of feed, chicks and medication costs and unorganized market. The small and marginal broiler farmers in view of the above constraints are on the verge of leaving the broiler farming, searching for other alternative avocations. The industry is gradually going into the hands of large farmers. Nevertheless during the last 5 years, several efforts have been made by various corporate companies to form an organized market, by following the broiler integration programme where contract broiler farming is practised under it. The farmers that fall under the contract broiler farming system are mainly small and marginal categories. In the light of this changed situation, there is a need to probe into the problems of contract broiler farming vis-a-vis non-contract farming. Therefore the present study has been attempted to identify various problems based on the perceptions of farmers involved much in contract broiler farming.