I C A R - D P R

ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad, under the Scheduled Tribe Component (DAPSTC/TSP) Programme, introduced rural/ backyard chicken farming, intending to improve the nutritional and socio-economic status of tribal farmers. The input distribution program was organized at Thatiguda village in Adilabad District on 12th March 2024. 100 tribal families received night shelters from the program for the proper safeguarding of birds during the night. Tribal farmers provided the feedback and the impact of improved germplasm distributed one year ago. The benefits of backyard chicken rearing were explained to the tribal farmers. Dr. U. Rajkumar, Head, Division of PG&B explained the objective and implementation of the TSP program in Adilabad district and the role of backyard poultry in sustainable rural livelihoods. Dr. L. Leslie Leo Prince, Pr. Scientist and Dr.B.Prakash, Pr. Scientist & Nodal Officer (TSP) coordinated the programme. About 125 tribal farmers were present during the programme. 

 

 

ICAR-DPR has been implementing the DAPSC programme in different states of India. This year, the DAPSC Programme was initiated in Kerala to promote backyard poultry farming to improve the livelihood of SC families in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry Kerala. According to the Guidelines of NITI Ayog and in consultation with the Department of Animal Husbandry, the Ezhankulam village, Parakode Block, Pathanamthitta district was chosen for the implementation of the programme. On 11^th March, 2024,  input distribution and on-field training programme were arranged for the SC beneficiaries to start backyard poultry farming and also to properly safeguard birds during the night from predatory attacks and the cold climate, it was decided to distribute fabricated night shelters. A meeting was organized at the village to distribute temporary night shelters to SC beneficiaries. Mr. Chitayam Gopakumar, Honourable Deputy Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly participated in the programme as Chief Guest and distributed the temporary night shelters to 150 SC beneficiaries. He appreciated the effort of ICAR-DPR for initiating the programme in Kerala.  The beneficiaries were explained about backyard chicken rearing and the importance of egg and meat in improving the health status of children and women. The distribution programme was also attended by elected representatives of the Panchayat and also by Dr Harikumar, District Veterinary officer, Dr Neelima, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon and other AH department officials. Dr. A. Kannan, Principal Scientist and Dr M. Shanmugam, Senior Scientist of the Directorate Coordinated the programme.

 

 

A night shelter distribution programme for Scheduled Caste beneficiaries was organized at Parapally village of Kotapally block under the Mancherial district of Telangana on 11^th March 2024. Initially, the DAPSC scheme of the Directorate was explained to the beneficiaries, and they received brief training on rearing poultry birds under backyard farming. Additionally, practical tips on feeding and health care management of birds were provided. To properly safeguard birds during the night from predatory attacks and the cold climate, the Directorate distributed 150 night shelters to 150 SC families. The beneficiaries had already received chicken birds from ICAR-DPR. Dr Pavan Kumar, a local Veterinary officer facilitated the event. The Programme was coordinated by Dr Vijay Kumar, Senior Scientist and Mr D Pratap, ACTO of the Directorate.

A training program on “Enterprise Model for Commercial Backyard Poultry with Integration of Moringa Cultivation” was inaugurated at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research on 4th March 2024. The inaugural session was graced by Dr. G. Narendra Kumar, IAS, DG, NIRDPR and Dr. R.N. Chatterjee, Director, DPR. Dr. G Narendra Kumar IAS, DG, NIRDPR addressed the gathering and spoke about NIRDPR's role in creating Lakhpathi DiDis, which is a pioneer initiative of MoRD, GoI. He also stressed about importance of subsector backyard poultry and moringa in the diversification of income opportunities for SHGs.

Dr. R. N. Chatterjee, Director - DPR, highlighted the role of backyard poultry in improving income opportunities for entrepreneurs and emphasized the prospects in the sector. He further stated that an integrated model of backyard poultry and moringa farming, developed by ICAR-DPR, is a profitable venture and suggested for the utilization of DPR's technical competencies for promoting integrated backyard poultry and moringa farming.

About 26 officials from six different states viz. Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, are participating in the training program scheduled from 4-8 March 2024. Participants will receive theoretical and practical training on various aspects of poultry, including nutrition, health, housing, management, waste management, integrated farming with Moringa and extension. The inaugural session was attended by Dr. Ch Radhika Rani, Director, NRLMRC, NIRDPR, along with resource scientists from DPR and staff of NRLMRC. This program is funded by NIRDPR and coordinated by the NRLMRC Team, Dr. R. K. Mahapatra, Pr. Scientist, and the Integrated Moringa Farming Team of DPR.