SEWA PARV: SKUAST-K distributes poultry chicks to tribal farmers

Srinagar, Oct 2: As part of the ongoing SEWA PARW, SKUAST-K’s Division of Livestock Production and Management (LPM) organised a chick distribution program at its Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shuhama campus today.

Around 40 tribal beneficiaries from the Ganderbal belt, particularly from Dignibal and Allusteng areas, received backyard poultry units consisting of four-week-old improved Gramapriya chicks along with poultry feed. The initiative aims to strengthen livelihood opportunities and nutritional security and forms part of the Tribal Sub-Plan component of the ICAR-funded All India Coordinated Project on Poultry Breeding.

The event was attended by Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Haroon Rashid Naik, Director Research SKUAST-K, and Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar SKUAST-K and Principal Investigator of the AICRP on Poultry Breeding.

Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai highlighted the role of backyard poultry in ensuring nutritional security and generating income for rural and tribal households. He encouraged farmers, particularly women, to explore value addition in poultry products, such as organic and free-range eggs, which have a growing demand in urban markets.

Prof. Haroon Rashid Naik urged beneficiaries to rear the birds with scientific care and assured them of continuous technical guidance from experts at the Division of LPM. He emphasised that community-level adoption of backyard poultry can contribute significantly to rural upliftment and food security.

Prof. Azmat Alam Khan outlined ongoing research and development activities under AICRP, HADP, and DST-funded projects aimed at strengthening the poultry sector in Kashmir. He assured tribal farmers of continuous technical and field support under the DAPST framework of AICRP, reaffirming SKUAST-K’s commitment to promoting sustainable and farmer-centric poultry production models.