The poultry industry in Meghalaya is experiencing something of a boom as people take up poultry farming as backyard farming.
People are taking up poultry farming in light of the low supply of poultry products in the state. Poultry are being reared to meet the demands of the family while also serving as an alternative commercial business.
BK Mawthoh, Joint Director, Animal husbandry and veterinary department, Meghalaya, said, “We need the help of the rural and small farmers to help us increase egg production. That’s why we stressed on backyard poultry farming where every farmer of the village can rear 15-20 birds in their backyard.”
He said the department has introduced low input birds, especially broilers.
The farmers are now being pushed towards backyard poultry farming to increase the egg production to avoid importing poultry products from other states.
The livestock mission also aims at improving the livelihood of the farmers.
The farmers are being trained on rearing the layer, broiler and turkey poultry as well as on undertaking a hatching program.