Women participation in backyard poultry rearing: A study in South Bengaluru

Abstract

This study examines the participation of women in backyard poultry rearing and explores consumer preferences for backyard poultry meat and eggs in South Bengaluru. The results reveal that women play a dominant role in backyard poultry activities, particularly in management tasks such as feeding (90%), watering (90%), and chick supervision (87.5%). Women were also heavily involved in the selection of poultry breeds, with 60 per cent participating in this crucial decision-making process. The study indicates that the preference for local and non-descript breeds is driven by their low-cost maintenance and higher economic returns, making them a sustainable choice for rural households. The consumer preference analysis highlights a strong inclination towards backyard poultry meat and eggs, primarily due to their superior nutritional value and taste compared to commercially produced alternatives. The study found that a unit change in the age of consumers increased backyard poultry meat consumption by 0.75 kg, while an increase in purchase frequency resulted in a 1.2 kg rise in consumption. These findings emphasize the growing demand for backyard poultry products among health-conscious consumers, particularly those aged 30 to 50 years. The logit model used in the analysis showed a high accuracy rate of 84.4%, predicting that the majority of consumers prefer backyard poultry meat for its health benefits, including the absence of antibiotic growth promoters and additives.