Rangat, March 6: In a significant boost to backyard poultry farming and rural livelihoods in North & Middle Andaman district, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) today distributed a large number of day-old chicks and keets to 56 beneficiaries at the Veterinary Hospital (VH), Rangat.
The distribution included 1,550 day-old Vanaraja chicks, 153 Nicobari chicks, 689 ducklings, 27 turkey poults, 55 guinea fowl keets, and 1,800 quail chicks. This initiative aims to promote diversified poultry rearing, enhance household nutrition, and generate additional income for rural families through low-input, high-return farming practices.
The event was graced by Shri Bala, Pradhan of Parnasala Gram Panchayat who appreciated the Department’s extension efforts in reaching out to farmers and expressed gratitude for the timely support. He highlighted the importance of such programmes in strengthening the rural economy and encouraged beneficiaries to make the best use of the distributed birds.
Officials from the AH&VS Department emphasized that such distributions are part of ongoing schemes to expand poultry production in the islands, aligning with broader goals of self-sufficiency in animal protein and empowerment of rural beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the programme and looked forward to raising the birds successfully with departmental guidance.
The event marks another step in the Department’s commitment to supporting island farmers through timely inputs and technical assistance.