Earning livelihood through Broiler Poultry farming: Success Story of Vattamkulam Panchayath

Broiler chicken is the most popular in the poultry farming sector in India. Broilers are reared for commercial marketing of the chicken meat. They are small chickens that are 5-6 weeks old with tender with flexible bones. Broiler farming needs very little investment since they can be grown and marketed within six weeks. It is estimated that, an average of one million broiler birds per day are being slaughtered in Kerala to meet the domestic chicken demand. But, the broiler industry is under the clutches of large-scale producers from the neighboring states. Only 10% of the actual domestic demand of chicken is produced inside Kerala. This lacuna opens up a great opportunity to Kudumbashree farmers along with the main intensions to solve the existing issues in the industry like high amplitude rate fluctuations and quality of the chicken meat.

Evolution

In the light of recent economic and tax scenario in the country and the state, the broiler industry witnessed fluctuating market conditions. Though 14.5 % VAT was exempted for poultry during the post GST era, the expected reduction in price did not happen to broiler meat market, yet, remained high as the rate of hatching eggs, chicks, chicken etc. are being decided by the big-players in the industry. To address these problems and to produce ‘safe to eat’ chicken in the state itself, Kudumbashree Mission was entrusted to implement the Kerala Chicken Project, launched by the Government of Kerala in 2018, which envisages to commence 5000 broiler farms in Kerala and to take-over 10% of the Total Turn Over in Broiler Industry.

Vattakkulam Model

Vattamkulam is a village in the Malappuram district of Kerala and it is located near Edappal. Vattakkulam Gramapanchayath also started the Kerala Chicken units. The CDS identified Kudumbashree members who are already into poultry farming and have the requisite license from the local body concerned and necessary infrastructure.

 As per the Panchayat Livestock Farm Licensing Rules 2012 it was very difficult for the farmers to get license for poultry farms with a capacity of 1000 birds. So they designed a new model named “homestead broiler farms” and started 10 units with a capacity of 100 birds in a farm. The project is being implemented in association with the Animal Husbandry Department, MGNREGA and Local Self-Government Department. Apart from providing another avenue for a steady income to Kudumbashree members, the programme aims at ensuring safe and clean chicken for consumers at reasonable prices. Through the MGNREGA scheme they constructed the poultry shed.  The material cost is also included in the project.

The convergence with MGNREGA and the support from Veterinary department and the proper monitoring of the same is the major reason for their success. In the next financial year, it is proposed to start 20 units with 100% assistance from the Panchayat and are also planning to start marketing outlets.

India is the fifth largest broiler producer in the world and it is one of the most profitable livestock businesses in India. To reduce poverty, it is very important to get adequate income to the people. Thus a focus intervention is need for the same.  Kudumbashree broiler farm project is one of the major activities to get better income with less investment. The Vattakkulam is a one of the best viable models for the rural women to earn additional income to the family.