An Economic Analysis of Small-Scale Cattle Fattening in Kushtia District, Bangladesh

Abstract

The study analyzed the economics of cattle fattening in Kushtia district, Bangladesh, using a Cobb–Douglas type profit function. Primary data were collected from 107 small-scale cattle fatteners through face-to-face structured interviews, covering socioeconomic characteristics, cost–benefit details, and marketing practices. The results indicate that cattle fattening was a profitable and flexible source of income, with an average profit of BDT 8,268.50 per farm in a season. Salt cost, fixed cost, and medicine cost were found to be significant at the 1% level, while purchase cost was significant at the 5% level and negatively associated with profit, as expected. Farm size showed a positive and significant association with profit at the 1% level, suggesting that larger farms tend to achieve higher profitability. Based on the findings, the policy suggestions are that the government should implement subsidies or price-control measures for veterinary medicines to reduce production costs and enhance profitability. In addition, the government might help farmers expand their farms by providing access to credit, encouraging cooperative farming, and supporting land use, making cattle fattening more sustainable and profitable in the long run in Bangladesh.