Sri Vijaya Puram, June 15: In a continued effort to support livelihood generation and nutritional security among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS), handed over 120 Sonali Country Hens under the Tribal Subsidy Scheme for distribution to PVTG beneficiaries residing at Strait Island. The poultry birds were handed over to the Tribal Welfare Officer, Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) at the Government Poultry Farm, Dollygunj, in the presence of officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and AAJVS.
The initiative aims to promote backyard poultry farming among the tribal communities, thereby enhancing self-employment opportunities, improving household income, and ensuring the availability of nutritious eggs and meat for tribal families. The Sonali breed has been selected due to its adaptability to local climatic conditions, better disease resistance, and superior egg and meat production performance under backyard rearing systems. The beneficiaries are expected to derive long-term economic and nutritional benefits through the rearing of these birds.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services has been actively implementing various poultry and livestock development programmes across the Islands with special emphasis on tribal welfare and livelihood enhancement. The Tribal Subsidy Scheme is one such initiative aimed at empowering tribal communities through sustainable Animal husbandry practices and improving their socio-economic status.
The distribution underscores the Administration’s continued focus on inclusive growth and preservation of traditional livelihoods while integrating modern, resilient poultry breeds for the benefit of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups residing in the Strait Islands.
The Tribal Welfare Officer, AAJVS, appreciated the support extended by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and assured that the birds would be distributed to the intended PVTG beneficiaries of Strait Island for achieving the objectives of the scheme.