Sri Vijaya Puram, March 11: Shri Prem Rao, a resident of Sippighat, has emerged as a beacon of entrepreneurship and innovation in poultry farming, demonstrating how scientific training and creative space utilization can turn limited resources into a thriving, sustainable business. With a lifelong passion for livestock activities, Shri Rao voluntarily underwent a comprehensive one-month training programme in poultry farming at the Government Poultry Farm, Livestock Farm Complex, Dollygunj, under the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Andaman & Nicobar Administration. The training equipped him with essential scientific knowledge and practical skills in quail rearing, breeding, health management, and marketing, empowering him to launch his venture with confidence.
Facing the common challenges of limited space in his residential area, Shri Rao adopted an ingenious approach by establishing a small quail rearing unit on the terrace of his house. He constructed a compact room and installed rack-type cages for efficient, multi-layer management, optimizing vertical space without compromising animal welfare. Procuring high-quality quail chicks from the Central Hatchery, Dollygunj, Shri Rao gradually expanded his operation. Today, he successfully rears around 300 quails, with male birds sold in the local market at Rs. 60 per bird and female quails retained for egg production. His Unit now generates approximately 200 eggs per day, sold at Rs. 5 per egg, providing a steady and sustainable income stream that has significantly improved his family’s financial stability.
Shri Prem Rao’s success story exemplifies how innovative thinking and effective utilization of available space can transform small-scale poultry farming into a profitable enterprise, even in urban or semi-urban settings. His terrace model not only minimizes land requirements but also promotes biosecurity, efficient feeding, and easy monitoring, making it replicable for other aspiring farmers. “The Department’s training was a game-changer,” says Shri Rao. “It gave me the tools to dream big and turn my passion into a viable business that supports my family and inspires my community.”
The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department continues to extend technical guidance, training, and support to farmers like Shri Rao, thereby contributing significantly to strengthening rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable poultry farming across the islands. His journey serves as a powerful motivation for many aspiring farmers to adopt scientific and innovative methods, highlighting the importance of departmental support in fostering self-reliance and economic growth in the A&N Islands.