BAU-Bro chicken conservation and piloting their producer-group farming

Mymensingh

Previously, we have developed two chicken strains in by utilizing the Competitive Research Grant (CGP) (TF-17-ARI/15) provided by KGF and NATP Phase –I of BARC. The developed chicken strains have colossal important in poultry farming and an intellectual assets of Bangladesh. Accordingly, it was necessary to maintain the developed chicken strains and commercialize them to harness their full potential. Thus, a Technology Commercialization Project (TCP) under KGF BKGET Fund was initiated.

A “BAU Poultry Conservation and Research Center” will be established by utilizing the previously developed infrastructure and other infrastructures proposed in this project. Phenotypic data for growth and reproductive traits of sire and dam lines, parents and the resulting broilers will be collected for refinement. The day-old chicks (DOC) will be distributed to selected farmers. Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation will be facilitated distribution of DOCs through its partner organizations. TRACEABILITY and BRANDING of live and dressed chickens will be carried out in association with Protein Mart BD Ltd.

The construction of Pure Line Stock Shed, Grand Parent Stock Shed, Parent Stock Shed, Growing Stock Shed, Hatchery Room and Egg Storage Room are going on at BAU Poultry Farm. As of February 2025, about 98% construction works are completed. A total of 6450 DOCs of different lines were hatched and their phenotypic data collection is going on. Two training session on BAU chicken rearing and management for field personnel of NGOs were completed. Technical supports were provided to more than 300 farmers. 3,25,750 nos. of DOCs of BAU chicken were distributed to the farmers in association with PKSF.

The project was initially suffered significantly due to land allocation issues, covid-19 pandemic and other complexities at BAU. Later on, the project timeline was rescheduled and the required land for the construction work has been allocated by the university authority. As of February 2025, about 98% construction work has been completed. The project activities are ongoing as per revised timeline.

To date, 3,25,750 nos. of day-old BAU-Bro chicks were distributed among the farmers by the help of 34 NGOs in association of PKSF. Two training session on BAU chicken rearing and management for field personnel of NGOs were completed. Technical supports were provided to more than 300 farmers. Farmers have adopted improved chicken strains and management, leading to greater farm investment and higher productivity. Collaboration with private sector organizations has strengthened value chain linkages. The high quality pedigreed DOCs were distributed to the farmers in different areas of Bangladesh. Farmers are directly benefited from the DOCs with reasonable price and their profit margin is improved substantially.

The project will be implemented in two phases. After completion of the Phase-1, 70% of the sale proceeds shall be given to BPCRC, 30% shall be received by KGF. After initiation of Phase-2, BPCRC shall utilize maximum 60% of its total funds for meeting the operating costs, including the conservation, maintenance, further improvement of grandparents and lines of BAU-Bro chickens along with further research for the development of new varieties/strains of poultry and minimum 40% of its total funds will be kept as endowment trust fund.