Sri Vijaya Puram, March 13, 2026
In a move aimed at strengthening backyard poultry farming and improving rural livelihoods, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) distributed 510 high-quality Vanaraja chicks to progressive farmers and Self-Help Group (SHG) members in North Andaman.
The chicks were provided to farmers from Pudhumadurai (Bajota), Devpur and Tugapur, as well as to members of SHGs in Rampur. The birds were procured from the Government Poultry Farm (GPF), Sitanagar, and distributed along with technical guidance on scientific rearing, feeding practices, health management and biosecurity measures.
Vanaraja, a hardy dual-purpose poultry breed developed for backyard farming, is well suited to the island environment due to its adaptability, disease resistance and high egg and meat production potential. Officials said the initiative is expected to directly benefit small and marginal farmers and women SHG members by offering a low-investment livelihood option that can generate additional income while improving household nutrition through the availability of fresh eggs and meat.
The programme forms part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to promote scientific backyard poultry farming across remote and rural areas of North Andaman. By supplying quality chicks along with technical support and follow-up assistance, the Department aims to enhance poultry production, strengthen nutritional security and create self-employment opportunities, particularly for women and tribal communities.
Farmers and SHG members who received the chicks expressed enthusiasm and assured the Department that they would adopt recommended management practices to ensure better productivity.
Officials stated that the AH&VS Department will continue to expand such distribution programmes, organise regular training sessions and provide veterinary support so that more farmers can benefit from modern and profitable poultry farming, contributing to the growth of the livestock sector in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
