Poultry farming for livelihood and nutritional security in northeast India

Abstract

Poultry farming is rapidly expanding in India, playing a crucial role in the national economy and food security. India ranks fifth in chicken meat and second in egg production globally, with both commercial and backyard poultry systems playing vital roles. In the northeastern region, which holds over 69 million poultry, backyard farming predominates, supporting rural livelihoods, nutritional
security, and women’s empowerment. The region's varied agro-climatic conditions, availability of local breeds, and reliance on traditional agricultural practices offer both unique opportunities and challenges. Different range of poultry farming systems from traditional backyard to commercial intensive practices coexist, with newer initiatives like improved backyard poultry farming with
Low Input Technology (LIT) birds and native chicken like Kadaknath farming are becoming popular. Notwithstanding the sector's potential, there are challenges like disease outbreaks, high feed cost, insufficient infrastructure, market restrictions, lack of adequate government assistance, etc. Tackling these challenges with focused strategies like region specific breed improvement or developments, provisioning financial support, imparting training and capacity building along with improved market connections can unleash the potential of poultry farming in the region. Through strategic interventions, policy backing, and community involvement, the sector has the capacity to evolve into a fundamental element of rural economic advancement and nutritional security within the region.