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

De Zoysa, MIL; Silva-Fletcher, A; Herath, HMAS; Yalegama, MMSL; Kalupahana, RS; Satharasinghe, HAS; Kalupahana, AW; Karunarathna, EMDDK; De Alwis, KGDTL

Abstract

BackgroundThe 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.ObjectivesThe 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsThere 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.

Citation

De Zoysa, M., Silva-Fletcher, A., Herath, H., Yalegama, M., Kalupahana, R., Satharasinghe, H., Kalupahana, A., Karunarathna, E., & De Alwis, K. (2025). The Political, Economic and Socio-Cultural Discourse Surrounding the Backyard Chicken-Rearing Farming Systems in the Western and North-Western Provinces of Sri Lanka. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 11(3), https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70174

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 29, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Apr 15, 2025
• Publication Date: 2025
• Deposit Date: May 9, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: May 9, 2025
• Journal: Veterinary Medicine and Science
• Print ISSN: 2053-1095
• Electronic ISSN: 2053-1095
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70174
• Keywords: backyard chicken; discourse; political cultural practices; religion; sustainability; BIOSECURITY