The growth and challenges of Kashmir’s Poultry Farming

Introduction

Over the past two decades, poultry farming has emerged as a significant livelihood for many unemployed youth in Kashmir, responding to the growing demand for chicken. Currently, about 10,000 people are directly employed in this sector, with many more involved indirectly. The region has around 1,300 private farmers registered with the animal husbandry department, in addition to numerous unregistered operators. This report evaluates the poultry farming scenario in the Kashmir division, highlighting the evolution, challenges, and recommendations for future growth.

The poultry development program initiated in 1957-58 aimed to introduce improved breeds to meet the increasing demand for meat and eggs in the region. Researchers from the Jammu and Kashmir Policy Institute (JKPI) conducted a study based on a questionnaire prepared for NABARD, revealing the establishment of hundreds of commercial poultry farms equipped with automatic management systems. These farms house between 1,000 to 10,000 birds per cycle, predominantly sourced from outside Jammu and Kashmir. Despite advancements, the sector faces significant challenges, including dependency on external suppliers and a lack of support from local authorities.

To enhance the sustainability and profitability of poultry farming in Kashmir, the report recommends providing subsidies, training, and veterinary services to farmers. It also suggests establishing local hatchery and feed production facilities to reduce dependency on outside sources and implementing regulatory measures to protect the interests of local farmers.

The Poultry Farming Scenario in the Kashmir Division

Hundreds of commercial poultry farms have been established in Kashmir, equipped with automatic poultry house management systems. The number of birds on each farm ranges from 1000 to 10000 per cycle, mostly sourced from outside J&K. Both Cobb 430 breeds from Venkys, Surya, Rathi, etc., and non-Cobb varieties are being purchased at a rate of 62 rupees per chick in 2024. Previously, before 2024, the chick rate remained between 25 and 40 rupees. The birds are ready for the market within 35-38 days. A one-day chick weighing 40-50 grams grows to 1.5-2 kg within these 35-38 days, faster than native birds. The price of chicken has been fluctuating between 100 and 145 rupees per kilogram since 2019.

To set up a poultry farm capable of rearing around 6000 birds per cycle, a minimum of 1 kanal of land is required (rates vary from one area to another), along with an infrastructure setup costing around 10-15 lakhs. Running the poultry farm requires a minimum of three employees, with labour costs ranging between 20,000 and 30,000 rupees monthly. In a random sampling conducted by JKPI, it was found that there is no support from the Animal Husbandry Department. Farmers have not benefited from any government schemes and are dissatisfied with the department. None of the farmers sampled have received any subsidies, nor are any ethno-veterinary practices being provided.

Challenges faced by Poultry Farmers:

Dependency on Outsiders: All raw materials, including feed and chicks, are being imported from other states, except for heating materials. The monopoly of outside companies in the Kashmir poultry business remains the biggest challenge. Consequently, hatchery and feed companies are exploiting Kashmiri poultry farmers. There is no regulation on broilers imported from outside; for example, if there is a demand for 1 lakh broilers in Kashmir, surplus broilers are brought in, causing an increase in supply and a decrease in rates. Previously, before 2019, the government imposed a state tax of 9 rupees per broiler at the Lakhanpur border. Its abolition had a significant adverse impact on native poultry farmers. Similarly, poultry feed is sourced from outside states, reaching Kashmir at a considerably high cost. The price of feed bags, which was 1400 rupees in 2019, is now being sold at 2300 rupees.

Recommendations

To minimize import demand, it is paramount to assist poultry farmers through subsidies and by providing training and other veterinary services. All poultry farmers should be registered with the animal husbandry department, and the department should enact strict guidelines for animal husbandry officers to provide veterinary and other departmental services to farmers.

Poultry farming is among the top business activities in Kashmir, with thousands of people associated with it. However, the raw materials needed for poultry farming are not produced locally in Kashmir, leading to high prices. Similarly, feed-producing mills should be set up in Kashmir to reduce dependency on raw materials from outside states.

Furthermore, hatchery companies need to be established in Kashmir so that chicks can be provided to farmers at lower rates compared to outside companies, which often charge higher rates due to travel expenses. If the government successfully establishes such companies, it will create new employment opportunities and allow the government to monitor their quality. It has been found that many times, these outside companies sell low-standard materials to these farmers under the guise of high quality.

The dependency on outside companies and the high import demand in Kashmir make Kashmiri poultry farmers helpless. They are unable to set the rates since the state tax at the Lakhanpur border was abolished, which added salt to the wounds of Kashmiri farmers. There is a need to set up a Mandi for poultry farmers, which should serve as the primary platform for farmers to sell their produce. Mandi administration will play an integral role in safeguarding the interests and rights of poultry farmers.

Chicken production and processing companies should be tied up with these poultry farmers so that they can directly sell their products to these companies. These companies can provide feed, veterinary services, and technical advice to these farmers, thus removing 90% of the economic risk from them.