In a concerted move to strengthen the Islands’ poultry and livestock sector, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) has launched several initiatives aimed at boosting meat and egg production while modernizing breeding practices across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Under the Poultry Development Plan, the department has initiated broiler quail farming to expand quail meat production. To kickstart this, AH&VS is procuring 10,000 Nammakal-1 broiler quail hatching eggs from the Veterinary College Research Institute, Nammakal, Tamil Nadu, in a phased manner. The first batch of 2,500 eggs, including 2,000 female and 500 male lines, has already reached the Central Hatchery at the Livestock Farm Complex in Dollygunj and has been set for incubation.
Broiler quails are known for their rapid growth rate and tender meat quality, boasting a 72–75% dressing percentage. Their adaptability and commercial viability make them ideal for large-scale meat production, which the department plans to expand through local hatcheries. This initiative is expected to encourage farmers to diversify into quail farming, improving rural incomes and ensuring a steady supply of high-protein meat.
Parallel to this, AH&VS has also begun distribution of 1,300 Vigova ducklings across South Andaman through departmental institutions including the Veterinary Hospital, Wimberlygunj; Veterinary Dispensaries at Port Mout and Manglutan; Veterinary Hospital, Garacharma; and the Central Hatchery, Dollygunj. The Vigova breed, sourced from the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO), Hessaraghatta, Bengaluru, is known for its high growth rate and adaptability to both intensive and semi-intensive rearing systems, reaching an average weight of 3 to 3.5 kg.
The department has assured that the supply of Vigova hatching eggs will continue in phases to meet the growing demand among local farmers. Officials believe this will strengthen backyard poultry and semi-intensive duck rearing practices, contributing to rural livelihoods and increasing the overall meat and egg output in the Islands.
In a related development, AH&VS organized an awareness program on Artificial Insemination (AI), Semen Sexing Sorting (SSS), and bull castration on October 24 at the Veterinary Hospital, Campbell Bay. The session, attended by local PRI members including the Pramukh and Up-Pramukh of Campbell Bay and the Pradhan of Govind Nagar Gram Panchayat, focused on promoting scientific breeding and livestock management techniques.
Veterinary experts detailed the benefits of AI and SSS for genetic improvement and productivity enhancement, while explaining how bull castration can help improve herd quality and safety. The interactive program underscored the department’s commitment to promoting sustainable livestock practices, better productivity, and economic growth among local farmers.
Through these integrated efforts, the Department of AH&VS continues to align its initiatives with the Islands’ vision for self-reliant, sustainable, and technology-driven animal husbandry, supporting both economic resilience and food security in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
