Poultry 

Introduction

With rapid growth in population providing food security has taken the Govt. as well as planner in a quandary. The availability of agricultural land being limited, increased production in agriculture front has become a matter of concern for every Government. Government of India is according top priority for increasing the food production so as to double it by the end of five year plan. In poultry sector these exists a large scope to enhance food production through both layer and broiler farming. If these sectors will be explored then it will hugger in multiplier effects both in production and employment. 80% of the population of the State in rural areas eke out their livelihood mostly from agriculture and allied activities. Because of variations in weather, lack of inputs required for agriculture it has been observed that agriculture hardly provides employment ranging from 120 to 150 days in a year. Besides, employment for an additional 40-45 days are derived from wage employment, service and other activities. Thus an average individual gets employment for half a year. Government has been laying thrust in providing gainful employment for the rest period of the year for the work force and in this back drop the challenge before the Govt. is to expand activities under allied sector. Animal Husbandry being a part and parcel of every rural household has been appropriately given thrust by the Govt. for which expansion of the activities under this sector has been seriously thought of. Besides, providing employment this will generate additional income for the rural household. Added to this, this sector will be in a position for utilization of the unproductive woman power in a productive manner since Animal Husbandry Sector do no require the whole hearted attention of the main wage earner of the family. To amplify this assumption it has been calculated that a backyard poultry unit of 25 to 50 can generate employment for 40 to 50 size man days. In a similar manner a dairy unit consisting of 2 crossbred cows can help in creating employment for 120 to 150 man days and a small ruminant of 20 head size generate 100 to 120 man days in a year, mostly in the woman work force. In addition to this commercial activities under this sector will also encourage unemployed educated youths in a great manner youths to set up their own units. These activities will create sustainable means of livelihood in the rural areas along with bridging the gap in demand and production in egg, meat and milk. 

Layer

In layer segment there is a tremendous opportunities of self employment. Though it is highly capital intensive yet it is highly remunerative. At present, our State is much below in egg production as compared to our neighboring States. So large, medium and small scale layer farming can be taken up by the prospective entrepreneurs / farmers either own finance or by bank credit. Now-a-days competent technically and professionally guidance are available to the farmers through Govt. and private institutions. The poultry management practices have improved many folds, diseases and mortality incidences have reduced greatly. Further Govt. assistances and support are available to encourage new entrepreneurs to take up this business as a challenging occupation. Now layer farming has been given considerable importance in State policy and has a further better scope in future. 

Broiler

In broiler segment our State has made a commendable progress during last 2 decades. The State is now self sufficient in chicken meat production in respect to demand. Still there is enormous scope within this sector if marketing side is taken care of. 

Many reputed entrepreneurs have started integration in broiler sector which further encourage our farmers to take up broiler farming in the State. 

Backyard Poultry

Besides, the above two segments another segment of poultry is opened for our rural poor. They can take up this segment as their subsidiary occupation. Now days newly developed low input technology birds are available in poultry which thrive well under semi intensive system of management. These birds are phenotypically similar to desi birds in stead produce more no. of eggs and also grow in a much faster rate than desi birds. 

These types of breeds and their availability are as follows-

Investment Opportunities

As poultry has been classified as agriculture now it has been treated as priority sector of lending from financing institutions. So entrepreneurs / farmers should approach the Commercial Banks / Co-operative Banks / RRB of these areas to avail credit to establish poultry units. Government is also seriously trying to bring outside investors to invest in State poultry sector to make easy availability of required poultry inputs at a reasonable rate so that farmers of the State can be encouraged to take up layer and broiler farming. 

On-going Government Schemes

The issues already addressed by Govt. to support poultry development in the State

The issues under active consideration at Govt. level for poultry development in the State.

Goal: Production of 100 lakh eggs per day by 2010

Technical Data

Production performance of different breeds

Layer breeds