SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Wednesday distributed 300 improved backyard poultry chicks among 30 tribal farmers in Budgam under the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Poultry Breeding to promote sustainable livelihoods and improve household nutrition.
The awareness-cum-distribution programme was organised at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Budgam, under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST), with a focus on encouraging scientific backyard poultry farming as a low-cost income-generating enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Director Research, SKUAST-K, Prof Rehana Habib Kanth said backyard poultry has the potential to enhance nutritional security, provide supplementary income and strengthen rural livelihoods. She said the increasing demand for fresh, residue-free organic eggs offers new opportunities for rural entrepreneurs and urged farmers to adopt sustainable poultry farming integrated with value addition and organic manure production.
She also stressed the need to reduce excessive dependence on chemical pesticides and promote eco-friendly farming practices to ensure food safety and environmental sustainability.
Registrar, SKUAST-K, and Principal Investigator of the ICAR-AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Prof (Dr) Azmat Alam Khan, said the project is aimed at improving the livelihoods of tribal communities through scientific poultry farming. He said improved backyard poultry breeds can significantly enhance egg and meat production under village conditions while creating self-employment opportunities for rural households.
He encouraged farmers to adopt improved management practices to establish profitable backyard poultry units capable of producing quality organic eggs.
Welcoming the participants, Head of KVK Budgam, Prof Bilal Ahmad Lone, highlighted the centre’s farmer-oriented programmes and emphasised the importance of integrating poultry farming with other agricultural activities to improve farm income and build livelihood resilience.
Technical experts Dr Zulfqarul Haq and Dr Kavita Rani conducted training sessions on scientific backyard poultry management, covering housing, feeding, brooding, vaccination, disease prevention, biosecurity and flock health. The experts also interacted with farmers and addressed their queries on poultry rearing under local conditions.
As part of the initiative, each of the 30 tribal beneficiaries received 10 improved poultry chicks along with five kilograms of poultry feed to help establish backyard poultry units.
Officials said the intervention is expected to improve household nutrition, increase the availability of fresh organic eggs and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal families in the district.
The programme witnessed participation from tribal farmers across Budgam, with beneficiaries expressing hope that the scientific training and quality poultry stock would help improve their incomes through backyard poultry farming.
