In a significant move to strengthen rural livelihoods and promote scientific poultry farming, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services distributed 580 improved poultry birds to 30 farmers in Baratang Village. The distribution, held on 13 March 2026, included 540 Vanaraja chicks and 40 guinea fowl keets, supplied from the Government Poultry Farm and Central Hatchery at Dollygunj under the Rotational Chicks Distribution Programme.
The initiative is designed to encourage the adoption of backyard poultry rearing as a sustainable income source and improve household nutritional security across the island. Vanaraja birds, a dual-purpose improved poultry breed, are particularly suited to backyard farming conditions, offering both meat and egg production. The birds are hardy, disease-resistant, and adaptable to the local island environment, capable of efficient scavenging and utilizing locally available feed resources.
Guinea fowl keets were also provided to farmers to diversify their poultry portfolio and enhance productivity in rural households. The Department emphasized that the programme ensures equitable access to quality poultry breeds across all villages, contributing to the broader goal of rural development.
The Rotational Chicks Distribution Programme aims to provide farmers with day-old and reared chicks, supporting scientific and sustainable poultry management practices. By introducing improved breeds like Vanaraja and guinea fowl, the Department seeks to create a model of backyard poultry farming that boosts income while addressing nutritional needs in rural households.
Officials from the Department noted that initiatives like these not only offer immediate financial benefits but also lay the groundwork for long-term sustainability of poultry-based livelihoods. The birds are distributed with proper guidance on rearing, feeding, and healthcare practices, ensuring farmers can maintain healthy and productive flocks.
Baratang Village farmers, who received the birds, expressed optimism about the programme, citing potential improvements in household nutrition and additional income generation. The initiative reflects a broader government effort to promote rural entrepreneurship, scientific farming techniques, and food security in island communities.
The programme’s design ensures that resources reach small-scale farmers in geographically remote areas, addressing challenges of accessibility and availability of quality livestock. This targeted approach helps stabilize rural economies and encourages scientific adoption of poultry rearing techniques suited to the island ecosystem.
The Department continues to monitor the performance of distributed poultry and provides ongoing technical support to farmers to maximize the benefits of improved breeds. Such initiatives form part of a strategic push to enhance rural livelihoods while promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving the overall quality of life in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
