Technical Summary: Participatory Systems Mapping and Experimental Games for Biosecurity Adoption in Bangladesh

1. Problem Statement

The study addresses the critical public health threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), specifically within the context of smallholder broiler farming in Bangladesh. A primary driver of AMR in this sector is the prophylactic (preventive) use of antibiotics by farmers, a practice adopted due to a lack of effective biosecurity measures and a pervasive fear of flock mortality. The research posits that shifting from antibiotic reliance to robust biosecurity practices is essential for sustainable poultry production and aligns with the One Health framework, which recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.

2. Methodology

The research employed a participatory mixed-methods approach conducted in southern Bangladesh between September 2024 and June 2025. The methodology consisted of two distinct but integrated phases:

A. Participatory Systems Mapping

• Stakeholder Engagement: Researchers facilitated the co-creation of Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) with a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, veterinary dealers, and veterinary officers.
• Objective: To visually map the complex causal relationships, feedback loops, and systemic drivers influencing antibiotic use and biosecurity adoption.

B. Experimental Games (Simulation)

• Participants: Ten broiler farmers from a single village were selected using purposive and snowball sampling.
• Design: The study simulated four production cycles (rounds).
• Intervention: Following interactive training sessions, farmers were presented with a strategic choice:
  • Option A (Adopters): Implement biosecurity measures.
  • Option B (Non-Adopters): Continue reliance on antibiotics.
• Data Collection: Key performance indicators were tracked across both groups, including:
  • Biosecurity compliance (0–12 scale).
  • Flock mortality rates.
  • Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
  • Antibiotic usage frequency.
  • Outbreak history.
  • Economic outcomes (profit per bird).

3. Key Contributions

• Systemic Insight: The study successfully utilized Participatory Systems Mapping to identify specific feedback mechanisms, revealing a reinforcing loop where fear of mortality drives antibiotic reliance, contrasted with balancing loops where training and consumer incentives can reduce antibiotic use.
• Innovative Engagement: It introduces Experimental Games as a viable tool for behavioral change research in agricultural settings, allowing farmers to simulate decision-making consequences in a low-risk environment before real-world implementation.
• Farmer-Driven Solutions: The research emphasizes a bottom-up approach where solutions are co-created with stakeholders rather than imposed top-down, fostering greater ownership and sustainability.

4. Key Results

Baseline Characteristics

• Demographics: Adopters (Option A) were generally younger and more educated than non-adopters.
• Flock Size: Adopters managed larger flocks (800–2,000 birds) compared to non-adopters (600–1,000 birds), though the mean for both groups was approximately 1,000.
• Initial Status: Both groups started with a biosecurity score of 0. Interestingly, adopters initially exhibited worse performance metrics:
  • Outbreaks: 2.0 (Adopters) vs. 1.4 (Non-adopters).
  • Mortality: 5.6% vs. 4.2%.
  • Antibiotic Use: 3.6 units vs. 3.0 units.
  • FCR: 1.8 vs. 1.6.

Outcomes After Four Rounds (Round 4)

The intervention yielded significant divergences between the two groups:

Adopters (Option A):

• Biosecurity: Improved compliance scores by 125%.
• Health Metrics: Eliminated disease outbreaks entirely; reduced mortality by 52.6%.
• Antibiotic Use: Completely ceased antibiotic usage.
• Efficiency: Improved Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) by 13.3%.
• Economics: Achieved a 71.72% higher profit per bird compared to non-adopters.
• Market Strategy: Successfully shifted to direct sales to consumers, generating an additional 10–16% profit per bird per round.

Non-Adopters (Option B):

• Spillover Effect: Influenced by the success of the adopters, this group increased biosecurity scores by 25%.
• Improvements: Observed reductions in outbreaks, mortality, antibiotic use, and FCR, though the magnitude of improvement was lower than that of the adopters.

5. Significance and Conclusion

The study demonstrates that farmer-driven adoption of biosecurity practices is a viable and highly effective strategy for replacing antibiotic use in smallholder broiler farming. The experimental simulation proved that with adequate training and systemic understanding, farmers can transition to sustainable models that drastically improve animal health and economic returns.

The findings support the broader One Health agenda by showing that reducing antibiotic reliance in agriculture is not only feasible but economically superior. The success of the participatory approach suggests that future interventions should prioritize co-creation and behavioral simulation to accelerate the transition toward a healthier, more sustainable food system.