Small scale poultry rearing with SATPUDA-DESI birds

Shivaji Ramkrushna Chinchole, aged 31 yrs, lives in Malgani village of Buldhana district, Vidarbha region in Maharashtra. The region is facing serious problems of farmers committing suicide due to crop failure as well as inability to secure a reasonable market price for their produce.

Shivaji’s father owns 3 acres of non irrigated land which is not enough to sustain a family of 6.  Therefore, Shivaji was desperate to find suitable employment to supplement the family income.  However, though educated, he was unable to find a job.  He then decided to start a business that was related to agriculture. He could manage to raise a capital of Rs. 15,000 by selling ancestral gold ornaments.

He decided to start broiler farming. He constructed a temporary shed of 10 feet x 20 feet by using bamboo and other available material in his house. Only mesh and plastic paper to cover roof was purchased from market at a cost of Rs. 3,000. He collected information regarding management and vaccination from the local veterinary extension officer. He ordered 200 chicks from the local dealer.

He faced heavy mortality (20 %) in the flock due to low resistance of broiler birds.  In addition, at the time of selling, a steep fall in the ready bird market caused him to suffer a loss of Rs. 1,800 in his first batch.

He was frustrated as there was no body to support him to continue the business. He compared rates of desi birds and broiler and decided to raise birds simulating desi birds to fetch a good price locally. He was in search of a source of chicks and went to the Agriculture University, Akola 70 kms from his village. He saw multi-coloured birds in the poultry science department shed and on enquiry it revealed that SATPUDA DESI birds from Yashwant Agritech Pvt. Ltd. Jalgaon were reared for nutrition trial experiment by post graduate students. He collected the address and contact numbers of the concerned person at the company who advised him to visit Jalgaon and gave him detailed guidance regarding management, vaccination and marketing issues.

After seeing actual flocks of different age groups Shivaji was confident about the bird’s acceptance in the local market. He placed an order for 250 chicks and the company supplied it to his doorstep. He fed the birds with commercial feed which was available from a feed dealer 14 Kms from his poultry farm. Shivaji was in continuous communication with the company’s veterinary consultant Dr. Patil and followed his instructions regarding vaccination. His wife Latabai helped him to rear birds.

Ranikhet vaccine was brought in thermos flask from Akola and the the birds were vaccinated immediately. He opines that the birds are very sturdy and grow to an average weight of birds was 980 Gms in 62 days.  The production cost was Rs. 47/kg out of 255 (250 + 2% extra chicks) chicks supplied and mortality was 3.5%. He made a profit of Rs. 4,300 in 70 days with investment of Rs. 11,000 only. He used the profit to construct another shed and increased his production capacity.

Mr. Suryawanshi, from the company, advised him to sell pullets to interested backyard poultry keepers. Shivaji’s wife, Latabai, visited nearby villages and narrated the advantage of rearing improved desi birds for more egg production. She received orders from village ladies for 10 to 30 female birds. After proper vaccination they supplied birds to these fe/male farmers.  

Shivaji’s enterprise and efforts were recognized locally and many youth approached him for guidance. He encouraged them to start Satpuda desi bird rearing. He opines that cluster activity will improve the gains instead of competition within poultry keepers as it will be easier for suppliers as well as traders.

Within one year of starting poultry rearing, he was appointed dealer for chicks in Buldhana, Akola district by the company and during the same time 37 units of 200-500 birds in the area were established. Today the capacity of his farm is 2,500 birds per month. He is selling 10,000 to 12,000 chicks per month to other units. Chicks are delivered to his doorstep by company’s delivery vehicle.

All small farmers are in communication with him regarding selling rates. He guide’s them regarding marketing of birds. Traders from nearby towns contact him regarding availability of birds. He gives contact number and address of the farmer closest to the trader.  Accordingly, this cycle of supply of day old chicks to selling ready birds is repeated.

Within 4 years Shivaji has constructed a concrete house for himself and his brother. He wants to educate his 2 daughters.

He proudly advocates that this activity not only provided self employment to him but also gave satisfaction as replication of the activity provided a source of livelihood to many youth, especially in a region where government is making every effort to stop suicides by farmers.  He is now a respected person in the area and people call him SHIVAJIRAO. His father is proud of him. Day to day activities in the farm are managed by his wife and he utilizes his time to guide farmers. Every year they arrange a get-together of all poultry farmers which is attended by the company’s poultry consultant and marketing expert. Farmer’s problems, experiences are shared and guidance for growth is given in such meetings. 

Contributed by - Coordination Team

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