Livestock Research

Abstract

Understanding the socio-economic conditions of smallholder farmers is essential for designing livestock development programs that are both effective and socially inclusive. This study presents a detailed socio-economic and demographic profile of farmers participating in a lamb production upscaling initiative in northern Bangladesh. The objective was to generate baseline evidence on household characteristics, resource constraints, livestock ownership patterns, and gender roles in sheep production, thereby informing context-sensitive intervention strategies. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 40 beneficiary households selected for the project. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered through face-to-face interviews, supplemented with project monitoring records. The survey captured information on demographic attributes, land ownership, livestock assets, financial inclusion, and gendered divisions of labor and decision-making in sheep management. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS to summarize household characteristics and management patterns. The findings indicate that the target farmers are predominantly middle-aged (67.5% aged 31–50), female (87.5%), and minimally educated, with 92.5% possessing primary education or less. Severe land scarcity characterizes the cohort, as 90% of households operate as marginal farmers with less than one acre of land. Sheep production is universally practiced among respondents, with an average flock size of 11.1 animals integrated into mixed smallholder systems that also include cattle, goats, and poultry. A pronounced gendered division of labor was observed: women are primarily responsible for daily husbandry tasks, whereas men dominate key financial and marketing decisions. Although formal financial inclusion remains limited (77.5% without bank accounts), access to NGO-based credit is widespread (85%). Importantly, universal adoption of improved husbandry practices following prior training demonstrates strong receptivity to extension services. These insights provide an essential foundation for designing scalable, equitable livestock development strategies.

Keywords: Socio-demographic; Marginal Farmers; Gender Division of Labor; Sheep Rearing; Financial Inclusion; Adoption of Practices