Staff shortage disrupts operation of Cumilla poultry breeding farm

Severe staff shortage left Cumilla's only government-run poultry breeding and development farm struggling to maintain routine operations, with more than half of its sanctioned positions lying vacant.

Established in 1956 in the South Chartha area of Cumilla city, the Government Poultry Breeding and Development Farm supplied improved chicks and technical support to farmers across the greater Cumilla region for nearly seven decades. Today, however, the institution appears to be operating well below capacity. Of its 23 sanctioned posts, only 11 are currently filled. The remaining 12 have been vacant for an extended period, creating mounting pressure on the limited workforce.

Officials at the farm said the shortage of fourth-class support staff is the most severe. Both posts for hatchery attendants are vacant. Of the four approved poultry attendant positions, only one is filled. All three posts for duck attendants are empty. The farm also has no electrician or driver on its payroll. There is no designated cleaner even for basic sanitation works, leaving cleaning duties to be managed informally.

Such gaps may seem administrative on paper. On the ground, they translate into longer working hours and overlapping responsibilities for the employed staff. Workers who were hired for specific roles now juggle multiple tasks, from cleaning sheds and distributing feed to managing egg storage and overseeing hatchery functions. Production schedules have reportedly become harder to sustain. Waste removal is not regular. For a facility that handles live birds and breeding stock, lapses in hygiene could pose health risks, both for poultry and potentially for surrounding operations.

The farm comprises 13 sheds and 29 rooms intended for breeding and rearing activities. Years of limited maintenance have taken a visible toll. Several sheds have torn roofing and worn out structures. Without adequate staff, routine repairs and monitoring are often delayed. It is difficult to run a breeding programme efficiently under such constraints. Industry observers note that this facility serves more than a symbolic role. It has long been a source of improved breeds and technical guidance for small and medium poultry farmers not only in Cumilla but also in neighbouring districts. Many small-scale entrepreneurs rely on access to quality chicks from government farms to minimise production costs. If operational weaknesses persist, the effects could ripple through the local poultry sector, which already operates on thin margins.

Chandan Kumar Poddar, who is serving as deputy director with additional responsibilities, acknowledged the strain. He said efforts are underway to keep the farm functional despite the staffing deficit.

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