Environmental examination of BRAC poultry farms and feed mills

Abstract

The study aimed to identify activities of poultry rearing that are environmentally sensitive; to investigate waste disposal system, health risk and impacts of various poultry programme activities on environment and also identify the areas and steps for further consideration for sustainable environment. The study data were collected through a checklist and interviews of the people. The major findings of the study were categorised under health effects and environmental assessment of the programme. The poultry farms were found not to be environmentally hazardous. The litter as a waste bfrom the poultry was found to be managed properly by selling it as a compost to local farmers. Sometimes the rice husk and the poultry litter was found to be damped into the nearby water sources but it was observed that it was a good fish feed. It was also found that there are no health risk involved with poultry farms but too much exposure of the workers to dust may cause asthma or other bronchial diseases. The results indicate that the health and environmental problem related to the programme is not acute. Even then some recommendations and monitoring criteria were made to overcome some of the environmental health hazards created by the poultry farmers and feed mills production.