Poultry Farming

 Introduction Before 1950, Poultry keeping in India was largely a backyard venture. During last 3-4 decades Indian poultry industry has shown excellent growth and India has emerged as the fourth largest egg production and 3rd largest in broiler production in the world. Poultry farming is a profitable venture as a means of lively hood and income prosperity for hilly areas. Poultry farming can play an important role in various sociology – economic development by way of providing employment, supplementary income and productive food to all section of Uttarakhand. The small and marginal farmers of Uttarakhand may choose alternative method for generating good income with their limited land and water use. The demand of eggs and poultry meat is continuously on in erease in Uttarakhand, but the production of eggs and poultry meat in the state is not sufficient

to meet out the demand. Keeping in view of demand of poultry eggs and meat in the Uttarakhand and its potential for income and employment generation, there is a need to increase the poultry production in the state.

 

Merits: In comparison to other livestock species poultry has following qualities as:

1. Poultry needs small land and resources than needed for other livestock species.
2. Back yard poultry farming specially for BPL families can do on local feeds and kitchen waste, which may be additional source of income of women.
3. Poultry meat and eggs may be a best solution of malnutrition problem of the state.
4. Poultry manure is rich in nutriants in comparison to other livestock speetes manure and has good for vegetable and other crops.
5. The growth rate of poultry (Broilers) is very fast. If reared in organized way, a house hold can earn Rs. 15 -20 per bird net profit at the market age (4-5th weeks) of the bird.