Nagaland University poultry project boosts earnings of women SHGs in Zunheboto
A Nagaland University-led, NABARD-assisted backyard poultry project in Zunheboto district supported 60 women SHG members with training, chicks, feed, and incubb
A Nagaland University-led backyard poultry project in Zunheboto district has supported women self-help groups to earn more than ₹30.8 lakh, according to the university. It involved 60 women SHG members and aimed to improve both livelihoods and access to meat and eggs within households.
The initiative was implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Zunheboto, under a NABARD-assisted programme. It covered women from Sumisettsu, Zaphumi, Lumami, Alaphumi and Shichimi villages in the Akuluto block. The university said the project used low-cost egg incubators and scientific backyard poultry methods to support sustainable income.
Training and inputs for scientific poultry
Participants were trained in poultry management, including how to use low-cost egg incubators. The university said women were provided Rainbow Rooster day-old chicks and feed support for the first 20 days. It also included vaccination and medication support, along with poultry equipment and guidance meant for regular farm practices.
Village-level incubators began producing chicks, the university added. The approach was designed to reduce dependence on external suppliers for poultry inputs, and to support poultry keeping in nearby villages as well. Training also covered scientific feeding, low-cost housing, vaccination, disease management and feed formulation using locally available resources.
Eggs for home use and sales
During the reporting period, beneficiary households consumed 1,380 birds and sold 2,135 birds, the university said. It reported that household meat availability increased by an average of 66.7 kg. The project also produced 22,618 eggs for household consumption and sale in local markets.
The university stated that cumulative income from the programme reached ₹30,80,360, with an average net income of about ₹32,592 per beneficiary so far. It said the initiative led by Principal Investigator Dr Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia and the KVK, Zunheboto team showed how technical support and extension services can strengthen women-led livelihoods and nutritional security through rural poultry activities.
