Training as a Tool for Livestock Technology Transfer and Impact on Food Security and Nutrition Intake of Rural Poor Farmers

This study examined the impact of training on transfer of livestock technology and increase food security of the rural poor in Bangladesh. Stratified random sampling was used to select the sample size. Out of 13, 3 districts such as Habiganj, Brahmanbaria and Kishoreganj were considered and finally, six income generating activities (IGAs) - poultry layer, poultry broiler, duck, goat, cow rearing and cattle fattening were selected. A total of 632 households were interviewed during April to September 2006. The training exposure of the beneficiaries on IGAs has effect on productive and reproductive performances of livestock and poultry. The costs and returns of the project beneficiaries were found higher in each of the IGA than the non training beneficiaries. The earning from the poultry broiler, cow rearing and even duck rearing were found the highest gross margin than the other IGAs. The net return as well as return over per BDT investment was also found the same trend. The average income from different IGAs of livestock was 56.04 per cent and 68.20 per cent for the farmers having training and no training respectively. The additional income from different IGAs, the solvency of the beneficiaries has been increased to a greater extent which reduces the duration as well as severity of food crisis and increased the quantity and quality of food intake by the beneficiaries and improved their livelihood.