Livelihoods

Backyard poultry farming was never a significant activity for farmers in the villages of Jaithari block. Most families raised local (desi) chicks primarily for personal consumption. One such family is that of Sitaram and his wife Munni Bai, who farm 10 acres of land in the village of Pator-tola. Managing such a sizable farm requires mechanized equipment or oxen for ploughing. However, Sitaram’s elder brother’s oxen were aging, making it increasingly difficult to plough the fields. Faced with this challenge, the family began exploring alternative income generation opportunities and even considered leasing part of their farmland.

Seeking additional income, Sitaram participated in Hindustan Power’s Backyard Poultry (BYP) initiative, part of its Income Generation Programs (IGP) for farmers. He purchased 10 pre- vaccinated chicks for a nominal price of Rs. 25 for the entire batch. The couple raised these chicks on a home-based diet of grains like corn, wheat, and rice. After six months, the healthy, grown birds achieved an 80% survival rate and were sold for Rs. 2,000. This income allowed the family to purchase two new oxen, replacing the aging ones.

The success of this initiative not only addressed the immediate need for oxen but also introduced Sitaram and Munni Bai to the potential of backyard poultry farming as a sustainable source of additional income.

Three years later, the couple continues to practice poultry farming, nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset. Sitaram is now a contented farmer, cultivating a variety of grains, including pulses (urad, arhar), maize, and paddy. With two young oxen capable of working for the next 15 years, his farming operations have become more efficient and productive.