# The Political, Economic and Socio‐Cultural Discourse Surrounding the Backyard Chicken‐Rearing Farming Systems in the Western and North‐Western Provinces of Sri Lanka

## TL;DR

This study explores how political, economic, and cultural factors influence backyard chicken farming in Sri Lanka's Western and North-Western Provinces to improve its sustainability.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the interplay of political, economic, and cultural factors affecting backyard chicken farming in Sri Lanka.

## Key findings

- Backyard chicken farming is influenced by political, economic, and cultural factors.
- Feed formulation, biosecurity, and marketability are shaped by these factors.
- Findings can inform policies to support sustainable backyard poultry farming.

## Abstract

The poultry sector is the largest contributor, in terms of the livestock sector to the Gross Domestic Product in Sri Lanka, providing economic security to the country and food security to people. There are three farming systems: broiler, layer and backyard chicken. The backyard chicken farming system is widespread across Sri Lanka. The population in Sri Lanka comprises five ethnic groups, four religious practices and is from a wide spectrum of economic classes.

The study was conducted to explore the political, economic and cultural discourse surrounding backyard farming in the Western and North‐Western Provinces of Sri Lanka. The overall purpose is to identify challenges and enablers to make backyard chicken rearing a sustainable economic activity.

This study used qualitative research methodology. Thirty‐eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted among backyard poultry farmers in two provinces and the data were transcribed, tabulated, coded and themes were generated. Then, data under the ensuing themes were analysed using critical discourse analysis.

The data revealed how backyard chicken rearing and its associated practices, such as feed formulation, issues associated with biosecurity, marketability and sustenance of the sector, are influenced by political, economic and cultural factors, turning it into a complex discursive space.

There are political, economic and cultural factors that may act in juxtaposition in backyard chicken farming in Sri Lanka. The results of this study can be used to underpin policy formulation, taking into account the prevailing political, economic and cultural practices and beliefs of backyard poultry farmers.

Backyard chicken farming is practised widely across diverse communities in Sri Lanka. This study exploring the political, economic and cultural factors affecting backyard chicken farming in the Western and North‐Western Provinces in Sri Lanka aims to identify the challenges and enablers to enhance the sustainability of the sector.