Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as one of the most urgent global health threats affecting humans, animals, food systems, and the environment. In many low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, antibiotics are widely used in poultry farming, often not only for treatment but also for prevention of disease outbreaks.

In smallholder broiler production systems, weak biosecurity practices increase disease risk, which in turn increases antibiotic dependency. This creates a reinforcing cycle of disease → antibiotic use → antimicrobial resistance → further disease vulnerability.

A recent field-based participatory study conducted in southern Bangladesh explored whether strengthening farm-level biosecurity practices could break this cycle and offer a practical alternative to routine antibiotic use.

🧪 Study Overview

The study titled:

“Participatory Systems Mapping and Experimental Games to Explore Biosecurity Adoption in Broiler Production in Bangladesh”

was conducted in a model poultry village in Barishal Sadar, Bangladesh, between September 2024 and June 2025.

📍 Study Design

The research used a mixed-method participatory approach, combining:

• Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) to map disease–antibiotic–biosecurity relationships

• Participatory Disease Searching (PDS) tools

• Experimental “decision-making games” with farmers

• Field-based monitoring across production cycles

👨‍🌾 Participants

• 20 broiler farmers initially engaged in participatory mapping

• 10 farmers selected for experimental game participation

• Additional stakeholders included poultry dealers and veterinary officers

Farmers were categorized into:

• Adopters (Option A): Biosecurity-focused farming without routine antibiotics

• Non-adopters (Option B): Conventional farming with antibiotic use

🧩 Key Intervention: Biosecurity Training Package

Farmers in the intervention group received structured training sessions covering 12 biosecurity and farm management practices, including:

🧼 Hygiene and Sanitation

• Cleaning and disinfecting feeders and waterers

• Removal of biofilms and waste residues

• Use of disinfectants and drying systems

🏡 Farm Management

• 15-day gap between production cycles

• Controlled farm entry and fencing systems

• Separate footwear for different farm zones

🐥 Animal Health Management

• Brooding management

• Vaccination handling and monitoring

• Litter and curtain management

🧠 Behavioral Learning Tools

• “Chili powder game” demonstrating microbial persistence

• “Lipstick handshake experiment” illustrating pathogen transmission

These participatory tools improved farmer understanding of invisible disease transmission and antimicrobial resistance pathways.

📊 Major Findings

1. Shift in Farmer Behavior

After training:

• 5 farmers adopted full biosecurity-based farming

• 5 farmers continued conventional antibiotic-based farming

• Both groups were monitored across multiple production cycles

2. Biosecurity Performance Improvement

By Round 4:

• Biosecurity scores increased by 125% in adopters

• Non-adopters showed only moderate improvement (~25%)

3. Disease and Health Outcomes

Among adopters:

• Disease outbreaks reduced to zero

• Mortality reduced by ~52.6%

• Non-adopters showed only limited reduction in disease events

4. Antibiotic Use Reduction

A major outcome of the study:

• Adopters achieved 100% elimination of antibiotic use

• Non-adopters continued antibiotic dependency throughout cycles

This finding is highly significant in the context of antimicrobial resistance mitigation.

5. Feed Efficiency and Productivity

• Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) improved by ~13.3% in adopters

• Healthier flocks showed improved growth efficiency and lower stress-related losses

6. Economic Impact

One of the strongest findings was improved profitability:

• Profit per bird increased by ~71.72% in adopters

• Adopters earned significantly higher returns compared to non-adopters

7. Market and Consumer Effects

The study also found important market dynamics:

• Direct consumer sales increased significantly among adopters

• Consumers showed willingness to pay higher prices for antibiotic-free poultry

• Price premium ranged between 10%–16% higher profit per kg

• Consumer trust supported stable income growth for adopters

🔄 System Dynamics Insight (CLD Findings)

The causal loop analysis revealed three key system behaviors:

🔴 Reinforcing Loop (Problem Cycle)

• Disease risk → antibiotic use → resistance → increased vulnerability → more disease risk

🟢 Balancing Loop 1 (Knowledge Effect)

• Training → awareness → improved biosecurity → reduced antibiotic use

🟢 Balancing Loop 2 (Productivity Effect)

• Biosecurity → lower mortality → improved FCR → higher profit → reinvestment in biosecurity

🟠 Balancing Loop 3 (Market Incentives)

• Consumer demand for antibiotic-free products → higher price → motivation for safer production

🌱 Broader Impact

This study demonstrates that:

• Simple, low-cost biosecurity practices can significantly reduce antibiotic use

• Farmer participation and experiential learning are critical for behavior change

• Market incentives can reinforce sustainable farming practices

• Community-level interventions can shift entire production systems

⚠️ Study Limitations

• Small sample size (pilot village level study)

• Limited geographic scope

• Short-term experimental cycles

• Further large-scale validation required

📌 Conclusion

This study provides strong evidence that farmer-led biosecurity adoption can:

• Replace routine antibiotic use

• Improve poultry health outcomes

• Increase farm profitability

• Strengthen sustainable food production systems

It highlights that antimicrobial resistance mitigation is not only a medical issue but also a behavioral, economic, and community-driven challenge.

📣 Community Message

1. You don’t need expensive technology to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Simple, low-cost actions like cleaning feeders, using separate shoes, and fencing your farm work better than overusing antibiotics.

2. Clean hands save flocks.
A handshake can spread resistant bacteria. Wash hands properly and use disinfectant—not just water.

3. A clean farm is your best vaccine.
Regular scrubbing of feeders and waterers, sun-drying equipment, and removing dead birds daily prevents disease before it starts.

4. Antibiotics are not a substitute for hygiene.
Using antibiotics to cover poor biosecurity only creates superbugs. Farmers who stopped antibiotics and improved hygiene saw mortality drop by over 50%.

5. A 15-day break between batches breaks disease cycles.
Leaving the farm empty and locked for two weeks after each batch eliminates pathogens.

6. Your neighbor’s success can be your teacher.
In the study, non-adopters started adopting biosecurity simply by watching nearby farms succeed. Peer influence is powerful.

7. Antibiotic-free birds sell for a better, stable price.
Direct sales to consumers who want safe meat gave farmers 10–16% higher profit per bird, with no price fluctuation.

8. Young, educated farmers lead the way—but everyone can learn.
Younger farmers adopted first, but their results motivated even older, skeptical farmers to change.

9. Training works best when it’s hands-on, not a lecture.
Games, demonstrations (chili powder, lipstick), and farm visits helped farmers truly understand how germs spread.

10. One farm’s change benefits the whole community.
When adopters reduced outbreaks and antibiotic use, the entire village saw healthier flocks, lower costs, and higher profits.

OHYAB Disclaimer: This press release is prepared for educational and community awareness purposes only. OHYAB did not participate in or influence the study design or outcomes.

Press by: Abu Sayed

Contact for the Press: mail@ohyab.org