Abstract
In Bangladesh, since the beginning of 21st century, the poultry industry has become an unparalleled platform for a quick profit, the generation of local employment, and the production of cheaper animal proteins. This paper summarizes poultry industry-related facts and figures for Bangladesh, starting from the very beginnings of this sector when poultry farming was part of subsistence family farming only to today's highly commercialized horizon, through personal experiences, secondary data analysis, spot visits, and the sharing of views and ideas with stakeholders. A critical analysis reveals that the poultry industry in Bangladesh may become multi-dimensional and more stable in the near future as it establishes sufficient backward and forward linkages to input and output supplies. We can foresee its passing the very fast growing juvenile stages of higher net profit earning and less responsible then becoming fully mature. The projected demand and production potentials of this sector are increasing, but at a slower pace than before, in the face of some important challenges like emerging disease, higher prices of inputs, consumer preferences, and strong market competition. However, evidence suggests that the production systems of poultry in Bangladesh are entering a new era to cater to the needs of consumers, society, and government as it produces healthier and more diversified, further-processed foods, in the coming years. A better economy in the country, a more health-conscious population, and the availability of new and affordable innovations in this sector might be the driving forces to support the foreseen transformations.