Poultry scheme yet to see light of the day

Karimnagar: The Vanaraja poultry scheme that was introduced for economical development of the people belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) is yet to see light of the day in the Karimnagar district.

Officials of Animal Husbandry department invited applications with an aim of distributing 400 units under Vanaraja poultry scheme to the beneficiaries during the financial year of 2018-19. But, after receiving applications from the beneficiaries from various parts of Karimnagar district, officials showing negligence towards identifying the real beneficiaries and the scheme has not been implemented till date.

The programme was aimed at providing livelihood support to the people below poverty line especially for those who belong to SC and ST categories living in rural areas across the State.

Vanaraja chicken is one of the coloured bird especially meant to grow in the rural poultry farms. These birds can be reared under free range conditions in the backyard for both egg and meat purpose where the plenty of natural feed is available. 

Abuout 25 chicks would be provided to every beneficiary under the scheme. The cost of the unit is Rs1,575 and the beneficiary has to pay only Rs325 for the unit. Priority will be given to SC and ST people residing in villages close to the, where poultry birds could get access to feed naturally.
With the intake of sufficient feed, every bird would attain a marketable weight of two to two-and-a-half kilograms in about six months to one year and produce more eggs compared to desi hens.

The government sanctioned about 400 units for distribution to beneficiaries during the financial year 2018-19. But the officials of Animal Husbandry department did not sanction any units during the first five months as the selection process of the beneficiaries was not done due to negligence of the officials. And after five months, with the implementation of Model Code of Conduct in the month of November because of Assembly elections followed by Panchayat polls, the Vanaraja poultry scheme did not see the light until January, 2019.

The beneficiaries who applied for the scheme are in a worried state and are demanding the officials to take immediate steps for implementing the scheme by providing the units to them before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. 

Dr. P Rajanna, the officer of the District Animal Husbandry said that backyard poultry farming by and large was a low input or no input venture. 
This kind of farming is one of the good practice among the rural people. It is a potent tool for livelihood promotion of the rural people. Besides, income generation, backyard poultry helps in alleviation of malnutrition of the rural people.

"Due to the election process, the implementation of the scheme was delayed. The selection of beneficiaries already completed for the sanctioned 400 units and will be distributed as early as possible," he added.