Satpuda poultry- a secure source of income and nutrition for Bebabai’s household

Bebabai Sudhakar Wagmare is a 35 year old landless labourer who lives in the Somthana village of District Buldhana in Maharashtra. Her husband Sudhakar runs a part time tailoring business in the village. Bebabai has always reared 2-3 desi birds in her hut but their low egg laying capacity was insufficient to generate additional income from the sale of eggs. When she learnt about the Satpuda birds from small scale poultry farmers in the nearby village, she decided to rear them. The initial investment of Rs 1800/- for purchasing Satpuda growers and feed was provided by her husband. Bebabai purchased 25 two month old pullets at the rate of Rs 70/kg from a small scale poultry farmer who also provided guidance regarding Ranikhet (Newcastle) vaccination. She got the birds vaccinated at the government veterinary dispensary.

The birds scavenged in the nearby fields throughout the day and were housed in the family hut at night. Of the 25 birds, two fell prey to cats.

In addition to scavenging during the day, approximately one kilogram of coarsely ground maize and jowar (sorghum) was fed to the birds daily as additional feed. After 3 months of waiting eagerly, 23 birds started laying eggs at the age of 5-6 months.

On an average Bebabai got 10 to13 eggs per day. Her son and daughter could now consume an egg daily. The remaining 10-11 eggs were sold @ Rs 3.50/egg from her house giving her an additional income of Rs 20 as Rs 15 was spent on purchase of feed. This money was used in paying for her children’s school fee. She sold these birds after 8 months when their egg laying cycle was completed, and she was able to obtain a good price of Rs 120 to 130 per hen. In order to have a constant income and source of nutrition for her children, she maintains a flock of 8 to 10 birds at all times. She is proud of the fact that she can provide nutritious food to her children and also ready cash whenever the need arises. She proudly mentions how she managed to pay the hospital bills by selling seven Satpuda birds when her son was admitted in the hospital for typhoid fever.

Contributed by - Yashwant Agritech (2008)