Abstract

The poultry sector in Punjab, Pakistan, is a major contributor to food security, with commercial broiler production accounting for over 40% of the country’s meat supply. To meet the growing demand for poultry meat and enhance production efficiency, the use of antibiotic growth promoters is a common practice, but it carries risks of antimicrobial resistance and food safety concerns. This study examined the awareness level, perceptions and adopted practices regarding the use of AGPs among Poultry farmers in Punjab. Data were collected from 345 randomly selected poultry farmers in five major districts related to poultry production. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, Pearson correlation, and Garrett’s ranking. Results indicated that Poultry farmers possessed moderate to strong knowledge of AGPs, particularly regarding feed conversion efficiency (Mean = 4.35, SD = 0.74) and associated health risks if misused (Mean = 4.18, SD = 0.81). However, awareness regarding withdrawal periods before slaughter is lacking. Attitudes were generally positive, emphasizing faster broiler growth (Mean = 4.42, SD = 0.71) and profitability (Mean = 4.31, SD = 0.76). Antibiotics were the most frequently used growth promoters (61.4%), with 44.6% of respondents reporting daily use. Adoption was significantly influenced by education (B = 0.298, p = 0.001), farming experience (B = 0.142, p = 0.014), access to extension services (B = 1.317, p = 0.000), and knowledge scores (B = 0.482, p = 0.000). Key barriers in the adoption included high cost (Mean = 4.32, SD = 0.78), limited availability (Mean = 4.15, SD = 0.81), and weak regulatory oversight (Mean = 4.08, SD = 0.85). The study highlights the need for targeted training, robust extension support, and policy interventions to promote safe and sustainable use of growth promoters. Further, there is a need to make alternatives to AGPs accessible to farmers.