POULTRY INDUSTRY IN BANGLADESH: IS IT GROWING?

Although government introduced improved breeds of poultry in government poultry farms for multiplication and distribution to village people in 1935, but commercial poultry production has been started from 1980s in Bangladesh. The growth of poultry industry over the years in Bangladesh is examined in this article. The expansion of poultry farming leads to the development of many allied industries such as breeder farms, hatcheries, feed mills, equipment factories, processing plants and pharmaceutical companies. The upward trend of growth rate of livestock sector is attributed to growth of poultry farms. Over the years the contribution of agricultural sector to GDP is declined but the share of livestock to agriculture sector increased. Per capita consumption of egg increased from 21 in 1995 to 59 in 2004 - 2005.The numbers of all allied industries have been increasing. The growth of population, change in income and food habit, and a bit awareness of the consumers about health indicates a bright prospect for the poultry industry in Bangladesh. Government policy for the development of poultry industry in the country is essential