Farmers learn to raise backyard poultry farms the smart way
For three days in mid-March, the quiet blocks of Tissa, Sullah, and Lambagaon sent 47 farmers to Palampur, where the Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya opened its doors for a special training on backyard poultry farming. What began as a classroom programme quickly turned into a journey of discovery—one that blended science, tradition, and hope for a stronger rural economy.
The sessions started with the basics: why backyard poultry matters, how it can boost family income, and the role it plays in nutritional security. Farmers listened intently, some scribbling notes, others nodding as they connected the lessons to their own lives. Vice-Chancellor AK Panda’s message resonated deeply—poultry farming, he said, is not just about chickens, but about self-reliance and dignity in rural households.
A Journey of Learning
- Hands-on exposure: Farmers visited progressive poultry keepers, walking through coops, observing feed practices, and asking questions that mattered to them.
- Practical wisdom: Experts explained how to prevent diseases, manage resources using local inputs, and balance the economics of broiler and layer farming.
- Innovation in feed: On the final day, the farmers learned about Azolla, a simple aquatic plant that could cut feed costs and improve nutrition.
- Marketing strategies: Discussions turned lively as participants explored how to sell their produce better, sharing experiences and challenges from their own villages.
The atmosphere was collaborative—farmers swapped stories, compared struggles, and found solutions together. By the end, each participant walked away not just with a certificate, but with confidence that they could turn a few hens in their backyard into a steady source of income.
The programme closed with a valedictory function, but for the farmers, it felt more like a beginning. As one participant put it during the interactive session, “We came here to learn about poultry, but we are leaving with ideas to change our lives.”
