SKUAST-K Strengthens Tribal Livelihoods through Backyard Poultry

SRINAGAR : SKUAST-K’s Division of Livestock Production and Management (LPM), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry organised a Backyard Poultry Chick Distribution Program at the Shuhama Campus under the
Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST)- AICRP on Poultry.
The program was conducted as part of the ongoing DAPST programmes in AICRP on Poultry enhance livelihood security, household nutrition, and income generation among tribal and rural farming communities.
During the program, 30 beneficiary farmers were provided with improved Gramapriya chicks, a hardy backyard poultry strain well-suited to local agro-climatic conditions.
During the program, the farmers were briefed on scientific backyard poultry rearing practices, including brooding management, feeding strategies, health care, and biosecurity measures.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hilal Musadiq Khan, Head, Division of LPM, highlighted the strategic importance of backyard poultry under tribal development programmes. He stated that ICAR–DAPST interventions are designed not merely as input-distribution activities but as holistic capacity-building initiatives aimed at long-term sustainability. He encouraged farmers to adopt recommended practices and maintain close linkage with the Division for technical support, disease management, and performance monitoring.
The programme witnessed active participation from farmers, who expressed appreciation for the initiative and interacted with scientists on practical challenges related to backyard poultry rearing.
The event concluded with an assurance from the Division of LPM to continue farmer-centric interventions under ICAR–DAPST, reinforcing SKUAST-K’s role in promoting inclusive, sustainable, and nutrition-sensitive livestock development in the region.