The Sahbhagita, a self-help group formed by the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh has come up as a helping hand for enhancing the egg and chicken production in the mango belt, Malihabad. In the situation of outbreak of the deadliest – Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19), there has been considerably a tremendous downfall in the consumption of the broiler eggs and chicken.
Dr. Shailendra Rajan, Director, ICAR-CISH stated about the launching of the intervention of Mango based poultry farming in 3 villages of Malihabad covering 100 farm families by the Institute around two years ago. He mentioned about the demonstration of chicks of orchard friendly breeds, such as, CARI-Nirbheek, Kadaknath, Asheel and CARI-Devendra among the farmers. This not only gave them sustainable income; but, substantially reduced the mango pest population.
The farmers were provided the capacity building at the ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh to make them self-reliant. During the lockdown, the farmers of Sahbhagita were provided the technical information through WhatsApp group and telephone. The farmers were distributed the masks and sanitizers. The practice of sanitization of hatchery machine and eggs led to enhance the sale of the eggs during the pandemic.
Sharing his experience, Shri Mohammad Shafiq stated that during the lockdown, he is fetching Rs. 300 per tray, which is Rs. 30 per egg in case of Kadaknath breed. The trained farmers and SRF posted in village proved to be very helpful in educating the farmers regarding the social distancing and hygiene.
Source: ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
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