Poultry Sub-Sector Study Among Ultra-Poor Farmers in Khulna Region, Bangladesh

Client

A development organisation working in coastal Bangladesh wanted to understand the role of poultry and pigeon rearing in the livelihoods of ultra-poor households, so it commissioned poultry livelihood research in Bangladesh. The study was focused on Sarankhola Upazilla in Bagerhat District, an area exposed to cyclone and flood risks.

The client was designing a disaster-resilient agricultural intervention and needed qualitative research on coastal livelihoods to understand current practices, constraints, recovery challenges, and opportunities for support.

Objective of the Study

The primary objective of the study was to understand the economic and livelihood role of poultry and pigeon rearing among ultra-poor farmers in a disaster-prone coastal region, in effect, a poultry income generation analysis.

The study specifically aimed to:

• Understand how ultra-poor households use poultry and pigeon rearing as livelihood sources

• Assess the role of women farmers in small livestock rearing

• Identify disaster-related risks affecting poultry and pigeon ownership

• Explore livelihood recovery challenges after cyclone and flood events

• Understand barriers to expanding livestock-based income

• Identify opportunities for disaster-resilient agricultural intervention 

  Research Methodology

The study was conducted using a qualitative research design for this ultra-poor farmer study and poultry sector assessment in Bangladesh, suited to a sensitive and vulnerable group of respondents.

Approach: Qualitative Research

Methodology: Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews

Sample Size: 6 FGDs + 20 IDIs

Geography Covered: Sarankhola Upazilla, Bagerhat District, Khulna Region, Bangladesh

Target Respondents:

• Ultra-poor farmers

• Women farmers engaged in poultry or pigeon rearing

• Disaster-affected households in coastal Bangladesh

Key Focus Areas:

• Backyard poultry practices

• Pigeon rearing practices

• Livelihood contribution of small livestock

• Livestock loss during cyclones and floods

• Post-disaster recovery barriers

• Disease management challenges

• Support needs for resilient livelihood programming

Research Outcome

The study found that backyard chicken keeping was the most widespread and lowest-barrier source of income among ultra-poor women in the target area. However, it was also highly vulnerable to cyclones and floods — a clear illustration of the impact of cyclones on farmers — with households reporting significant livestock losses after major weather events.

Livelihood recovery was slow because households lacked the capital required to restock birds and had limited technical knowledge to manage disease outbreaks after flooding.

Pigeon rearing emerged as a less common but more resilient livelihood option. Pigeons were easier to move and more likely to survive in flood conditions than chickens. Some households had already partially shifted toward pigeon rearing as a risk management strategy following previous cyclone losses.

Business Impact

The research provided the client with a clear intervention pathway for disaster-resilient livelihood support, drawing on a broader study of livestock resilience. It showed that pigeon rearing could be promoted as a complementary or partial alternative in highly flood-exposed households — a key output of the pigeon rearing livelihood assessment.

The findings also highlighted the need for restocking support, post-flood disease management training, and livelihood programming designed around the realities of ultra-poor women farmers in coastal disaster zones. Designed as a poultry farming market research and agricultural development case study, the research strengthens rural development planning for Bangladesh’s coastal zones.

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