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Abstract
The small scale cattle fattening enterprise is represents an important component of the agribusiness sector of the
economy with great economic, income, poverty reduction and social implications. A large number of farmers involved
in cattle fattening just before 3 or 4 months of Eid-ul-Azha (Muslim festival), when they sell the animals with profitable
prices. Cattle fattening for beef production have become an important business of the small farmers in Bangladesh.
This study examined the profitability as well as operational economics efficiency of cattle fattening enterprise of
Rajbari District. Data used to achieve this objective was obtained from 120 nomadic farmers, which were randomly
selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were generated using a survey schedule as well as direct
observation (cost-route method). Descriptive statistics, economics analysis as well as operational efficiency index
were used to analyze the data. Results showed that small scale cattle fattening enterprise were profitable and
flexible. A net enterprise income of BDT 5559 per cattle was realized by an average enterprise in study area. It was
also shown that operational efficiency was not generally high among the entrepreneur. Based on these results, the
study advised less efficient entrepreneurs to adopt the practices of the efficient ones in order to make the enterprise
more profitable. The study shows that small scale cattle fattening enterprise is profitable due to agribusiness context.
Farmers used three years old cattle for beef fattening. Cattle fattening period is 4.5 months in rural study areas of
Rajbari district in Bangladesh.