Rural Backyard Poultry

The high incidence of protein hunger in the rural population particularly in pregnant & lactating mothers and growing kids can be obviated by intervention of Low Input Technology Birds (LIT Birds) in rural backyard poultry program. The Low Input Technology Birds in rural backyard poultry farming is more beneficial to small, marginal farmers, land less laborers and more especially to under privileged families. A target of 1500 mother units to cater 1.5 lakhs families under the program is proposed. It is expected that when desi birds which lay around 40-60 eggs per annum are replaced with LIT birds laying around 150 eggs taken as a averages estimate, even then there is an escalation of 90-110 eggs per year per bird. The overall income is expected to increase four to five folds.

In Uttar Pradesh, there is huge potential of poultry development due to availability of raw material for poultry feed as U.P. contributes 6% of total maize production of the country. State is one of the largest consumption markets of poultry and poultry products. More than 70% of eggs, chicken meat are consumed in urban areas and demand is continuously increasing in rural areas too.

Keeping in view the huge potential of poultry development, government of Uttar Pradesh launched Poultry Development Policy under which 30000 birds capacity and 10000 birds capacity layer units was proposed to be established with the interest subvention. The scheme proved to be a huge success with the current production of 98 lakh extra eggs daily from these units. The scheme once continue in coming years shall be of immense help for achieving the target of egg production as envisaged.

In broiler birds production, specific scheme for imparting assistance to farmers shall also be taken up for increasing poultry meat production in the State.