Rearing of Vanaraja Chicken: Boost to rural livelihood and nutritional security
Source: kvksivasagar.aau.ac.in
Miss. Nilakhi Baruah, an educated girl hails from poor agricultural family. She has been residing at Bengmuria Konwar Gaon under Nazira Development Block of Sivasagar District of Assam. Ms. Baruah is staying with her widow mother and two elder brothers who are daily labourers. So, it was very difficult for them to run the family smoothly as there was no other source of income. She approached the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sivasagar along with her widow mother requested advice from the scientists for their livelihood during the early part of 2012. Having inspired by the expert advices of scientists from KVK on Vanaraja rearing, she started a small unit of birds at her backyard. Intervention of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sivasagar: A front line demonstration (FLD) programme was undertaken by the KVK, Sivasagar covering only five farmers during the year 2011. Each farmer was given only 10 numbers of Vanaraja Chicks. The result of FLD gave full satisfaction and inspiration for further development. After technological interventions, she extended the farm capacity.
The rearing of Vanaraja birds under backyard system has been increasing day by day among the rural and tribal masses of Sivasagar District of Assam due to low input, quick and handsome returns without any marketing problem. Initially a total of 100 numbers of Vanaraja day old chicks were procured from a reputed hatchery of Guwahati and were distributed among 10 farmwomen of Bengmuria Konwar Gaon located very near to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sivasagar, Rahdoipukhuri, 10 numbers of day old chicks each. The farmwomen were trained and demonstrated with proper brooding and vaccination procedures by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra personnel time to time. At the age of one year cocks were sold @ Rs. 160/kg live weight at an average body weight of 4.14 kg/bird. Vanaraja females laying at an average age of 187 days. One hen produces at an average of 84 eggs up to the age of 365 days and attained an average body weight of 2.93 kg/bird. The eggs were sold @Rs.6/egg at farmers doorstep to the nearby and also to the distant farmwomen of the District for hatching purpose as well as for table purpose. The hens were also sold @ Rs. 150/Kg live weight after 1 year of production. After analysing the income from a unit of 10 birds, it was found that one farmwomen earning a sum of Rs. 6,049.20 per year (Rs. 504.10/month) with an investment of only Rs.560.00, which creates a positive impact among small/landless farmwomen and farmers. Farmwomen/farmers from different villages are now interested in keeping Vanaraja birds under backyard system in Sivasagar District of Assam.