A Nagaland University-led NABARD-supported backyard poultry project enabled 60 women SHG members in Zunheboto to earn over INR30.8 lakh.
DIMAPUR — A community-based initiative led by Nagaland University (NU) has demonstrated how scientific backyard poultry farming and low-cost egg incubators can improve rural livelihoods and nutritional security in Nagaland.
According to a university press release, the NABARD-assisted project supported 60 women from self-help groups (SHGs) across five villages in Zunheboto district by providing low-cost egg incubators, scientific training, and essential poultry inputs.
The project, titled “Promoting sustainable livelihood and nutritional security of women SHGs through low-cost egg incubator and backyard poultry production,” was implemented by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Zunheboto, under Nagaland University with financial assistance from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
The university said the initiative enabled the participating SHGs to collectively generate over INR 30.8 lakh while increasing the local availability of poultry meat and eggs.
The project addresses one of Nagaland's major challenges—a significant gap between the demand and supply of poultry products.
According to the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services' Annual Administrative Report (2022–23), the state faces an annual shortfall of more than 1,520 lakh eggs and nearly 38.5 metric tonnes of poultry meat.
Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia and the KVK Zunheboto team, the project provided continuous technical guidance, field visits, disease monitoring, and capacity-building programmes to help farmers adopt improved poultry management practices.
The impact of the initiative has been published in the International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development, highlighting its success as a model for sustainable rural development.
Congratulating the KVK team, Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik said the project reflects the university's commitment to empowering rural communities through science, innovation, and extension services while strengthening livelihoods, nutritional security, and sustainable development.
The programme covered women SHG members from Sumisettsu, Zaphumi, Lumami, Alaphumi, and Shichimi villages in Akuluto block.
Beneficiaries received Rainbow Rooster day-old chicks, starter feed for 20 days, vaccination and medication support, poultry equipment, and low-cost egg incubators capable of producing chicks throughout the year.
Dr. Chaurasia said the village-level incubators have already started producing chicks, creating a sustainable local supply that is expected to reduce dependence on external sources while supporting poultry farmers in neighbouring villages.
Besides improving incomes, the project has empowered women by creating locally managed livelihood opportunities, reducing labour, and enhancing household food security.
Farmers were also trained in scientific feeding practices, low-cost housing, vaccination, disease management, and feed formulation using locally available resources.
During the reporting period, beneficiary households consumed 1,380 birds and sold another 2,135 birds, increasing household meat availability by an average of 66.7 kilograms and generating a cumulative income of INR 30,80,360.
The farmers also produced 22,618 eggs for household consumption and local sale, contributing to improved nutrition and additional income. On average, each beneficiary earned a net income of about INR 32,592 under the programme.
The project team expects incomes to increase further as the birds reach full laying capacity and farmers expand the sale of eggs, chicks, and culled birds. The university said the initiative has demonstrated a scalable model that can be replicated in other remote areas of Nagaland where access to quality poultry inputs and technical support remains limited.
“The project highlights the role of university-led extension programmes in translating research and scientific knowledge into practical solutions that improve rural livelihoods while addressing nutritional challenges in the state,” it stated.