Economic Efficiency and Operational Dynamics of Broiler Poultry Farming: Evidence from Lucknow, India

Farming of broiler poultry has become a significant element of the agricultural sector in Lucknow with significant contribution to rural livelihoods, job creation, and food security. This paper investigates the socio-economic nature, operational and economic features of broiler poultry farming in the four largest tehsils of the district, i.e., Bakhshi Ka Talab, Malihabad, Mohanlal Ganj, and Sarojini Nagar. The research is founded on primary data gathered by use of a structured questionnaire and field survey of 200 broiler poultry farmers. The study was to examine the socio-economic profile of poultry farmers, learn about the operations and production activities of broiler farming, and determine the primary determinants of farm performance and sustainability. The demographic and socio-economic characteristics of respondents, such as age, gender, education, income, and occupational pattern were presented in terms of descriptive statistics. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was utilised to determine variation between the sampled tehsils but Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to extract underlying factors affecting broiler farming practices. Moreover, the multiple regression analysis was used to test the dependency between the area of a farm performance and the predictive variables, including its size, experience of farming, the availability of markets, and the income level. The results indicates that farming of broiler poultry in the study region is male dominated and concentrated majorly in rural households that have diversified livelihood plans. The findings also reveal the presence of a great difference in operational practices and economic performance within the chosen tehsils. The most important determinants of the success of broiler farms are experience in farming, availability of infrastructure and market connections. The study identifies the significance of ensuring that accessibility to credit, market networks, and technical training programs are further increased to improve the productivity and profitability of broiler poultry farming in the area. The research findings are informative to policy makers, researchers, and stakeholders interested in achieving sustainable poultry production and rural economic growth.