Assessment of the Status and Challenges of Broiler Chicken Farming in Maidan Wardak Province, Afghanistan

Rohullah Rahmani; Sayed Ibrahim Farkhary; Sebghatullah Subat; Mohammad Ayub Hebat

doi:10.62810/jnsr.v4i3.478

Authors

Rohullah Rahmani Zabul University, Agriculture Faculty, Animal Science Department, Zabul, Afghanistan
Sayed Ibrahim Farkhary Kabul University, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Animal Production, Kabul, Afghanistan
Sebghatullah Subat Kabul University, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Animal Production, Kabul, Afghanistan
Mohammad Ayub Hebat Baghlan University, Agriculture Faculty, Animal science Department, Baghlan, AF

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v4i3.478

Keywords:

Afghanistan, Broiler Chicken Farming, Feed management, Physical infrastructure, Poultry production, Technical knowledge

Abstract

The Raising broiler chickens is essential for rural employment, economic development, and food security. This cross-sectional survey study assessed the status and challenges of broiler chicken farming in Maidan Wardak Province, Afghanistan, with a focus on farm physical infrastructure, feed management, and farmers’ technical knowledge. A standardized questionnaire was administered to 104 broiler farm owners. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis in SPSS version 27. The results showed that most farms had generally satisfactory physical infrastructure conditions (mean = 3.80 ± 0.81), providing a relatively stable environment for poultry production, biosecurity, and health management. However, feed-related challenges remained moderate (mean = 2.35 ± 0.70), primarily due to high feed costs, limited availability, and inconsistent feed quality. Farmers’ technical knowledge was also moderate (mean = 2.73 ± 0.83), reflecting limited access to formal education and training opportunities. Correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships between farmers’ technical knowledge and both physical infrastructure management and feed-related practices. The study concludes that improving farmer training programs, strengthening veterinary and extension services, and ensuring a reliable supply of quality feed are critical for enhancing broiler farm productivity and sustainability in Maidan Wardak Province. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for policymakers and agricultural development programs aimed at supporting sustainable poultry production in Afghanistan.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adebowale, O. O., Adeyemo, O. K., Awoyomi, O., Dada, R., & Adebowale, O. (2016). Antibiotic use and practices in commercial poultry laying hens in Ogun State Nigeria. Revue d'élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux, 69(1), 41–45. https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.31170 DOI: https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.31170

Alders, R. G., & Pym, R. A. E. (2009). Village poultry: Still important to millions, eight thousand years after domestication. World's Poultry Science Journal, 65(2), 181–190. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933909000117 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933909000117

Anosike, F. U., Rekwot, G. Z., Owoshagba, O. B., Ahmed, S., & Atiku, J. A. (2020). Challenges of poultry production in Nigeria: A review. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 45(1), 252–258. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v45i1.335 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v45i1.335

Dolberg, F. (2001). A livestock development approach that contributes to poverty alleviation and widespread improvement of nutrition among the poor. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 13(5), Article 41. https://www.lrrd.org/lrrd13/5/dolb135.htm

FAO. (2019). Poultry sector development and management practices. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/11f9288f-dc78-4171-8d02-92235b8d7dc7/content

FAO. (2020). FAOSTAT: Livestock production statistics. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/faostat

Gueye, E. F. (2000). The role of family poultry in poverty alleviation, food security and the promotion of gender equality in rural Africa. Outlook on Agriculture, 29(2), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.5367/000000000101293130 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5367/000000000101293130

Jambui, M., Honaker, C. F., & Siegel, P. B. (2017). Correlated responses to long-term divergent selection for 8-week body weight in female White Plymouth Rock chickens: Sexual maturity. Poultry Science, 96(11), 3844–3851. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pex224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pex224

MAIL (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock). (2021). Afghanistan agricultural statistics yearbook. Kabul, Afghanistan

Malarvizhi, V., & Geetha, K. T. (2015). Economic cost & profit assessment of poultry farming in Namakkal district. Journal of Management and Science, 5(2), 153–166. https://doi.org/10.26524/jms.2015.14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26524/jms.2015.14

Mottet, A., & Tempio, G. (2017). Global poultry production: Current state and future outlook and challenges. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 73(2), 245–256. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933917000071 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933917000071

Mramba, R. P., & Mapunda, P. E. (2024). Management factors associated with the survival and market weight of broiler chickens among small-scale farmers in the Dodoma City of Tanzania. Heliyon, 10(13), e33907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33907 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33907

Muir, F. (1990). Commercial chicken production manual [Book review of Commercial chicken production manual (4th ed.), by M. O. North & D. D. Bell]. Poultry Science, 69(6), 1036. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0691036 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0691036

Baruwa, O. I., & Idowu, Y. O. (2021). Profitability and constraints of poultry egg enterprise in Ogun State, Nigeria. Journal of Livestock Science, 12, 42–49. https://doi.org/10.33259/JLivestSci.2021.42-49 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33259/JLivestSci.2021.42-49

Osuji, M. N. (2019). Assessment of factors affecting poultry (broiler) production in Imo State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 35(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.9734/AJAEES/2019/v35i230216 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/ajaees/2019/v35i230216

Oyegunle, E. O., Akosile, O. A., Uyanga, V. A., Oke, F. O., Oni, A. I., Tona, K., & Onagbesan, O. M. (2024). Climate change and broiler production. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 10(3), e1416. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1416 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1416

Phiri, P. T., Ruzhani, F., Madzokere, F., & Madududu, P. (2023). Factors affecting the profitability of smallholder broiler production in Mutare District, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe: A quantile regression approach. Cogent Economics & Finance, 11, 2242660. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2242660 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2242660

Ramukhithi, T. F., Nephawe, K. A., Mpofu, T. J., Raphulu, T., Munhuweyi, K., Ramukhithi, F. V., & Mtileni, B. (2023). An assessment of economic sustainability and efficiency in small-scale broiler farms in Limpopo Province: A review. Sustainability, 15(3), 2030. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032030 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032030

Rahimi, H., Ahmadzai, S., & Safi, A. (2021). Poultry sector development and challenges in Afghanistan. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 5(3), 112–120.

Scanes, C. G. (2007). Contribution of poultry to quality of life and economic development in the developing world. Poultry Science, 86(11), 2289–2290. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2007-86-11-2289 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2007-86-11-2289

OECD, & FAO. (2025). OECD-FAO agricultural outlook 2025–2034. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/agr_outlook-2025-en