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LUMAMI, NAGALAND, 14 July 2026: A community-based program from Nagaland University has shown that scientific methods of backyard poultry farming combined with affordable egg incubators can enhance rural livelihoods and augment nutritional security.
A video byte of this research from Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia, KVK Principal, Nagaland University, can be seen and downloaded at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qwn6AZO8URhGHQ99Q7O3k2UMXAoJmbYu/view?usp=sharing Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) were the focus of this project and helped groups in the Zunheboto district cumulatively earn over ₹30.8 lakh along with improving the availability of poultry meat and eggs in the region.
This project, “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, Nagaland University, and funded by the NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development).
Large gaps in the supply of poultry meat and eggs present a significant challenge for rural development in Nagaland, and this project is a step toward addressing the shortfall in sustainable local poultry production. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Nagaland, Annual Administrative Report (2022–23), estimates that Nagaland has an annual shortfall of over 1,520 lakh eggs and almost 38.5 MT of meat, making sustainable poultry production a requirement for rural development.
The project was implemented by the KVK Zunheboto Team, Nagaland University, and Principal Investigator Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia, who provided on-the-ground support for the adoption of the Improved Poultry Farming practices through formal training, monitoring of disease, and support on a range of other technical activities.
The International Journal of Agricultural Extension, and social development has covered the project’s impact. The journal is trained in agricultural extension and rural development, agricultural education, and the social aspects of agricultural extension and allied sciences.
As a gesture of goodwill to Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, stated:
"The success of this NABARD-assisted backyard poultry initiative is a testimony of Nagaland University’s involvement in assisting rural communities through the application of science, technology and extension. The introduction of scientific poultry farming and low cost egg incubators to the women’s Self-Help Groups will further support income generation, nutritional, and sustainable development of the rural community. I thank the beneficiaries, partners of this initiative and the University for this great achievement. I am sure this model will stimulate similar projects in the region."
The project reached 60 women’s SHG members from the villages Sumisettsu, Zaphumi, Lumami, Alaphumi and Shichimi in the Akuluto Block of Zunheboto District. The project provided supportive training on backyard poultry and provided Rainbow Rooster and sem 20-day starter feed, along with vaccination and medication support, poultry equipment, and low-cost egg incubators for year-round production of chicks at the village level.
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia, the Principal Scientist and Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Zunheboto, Nagaland University, explained the impact of this project:
Introducing low-cost incubators has been one of the major innovations of the project. The incubators produce chicks and provide a sustainable produce supply to the village. With the new supply, the villages will be less reliant on outside sources and will help the neighboring village's poultry farmers.
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia added:
The project has created new management opportunities for women, resulting in a livelihood, less daily work, and a better household food supply. Men were taught how to improve productivity with inexpensive feeding techniques and also how to build inexpensive shelters and implement vaccinations, alongside strategies for managing disease and improving local resources for the formulation of feed to reduce production costs.
The program has received very positive feedback. During the reporting project, beneficiary families consumed 1,380 birds and sold 2,135 birds. The total income generated was ₹30,80,360, and the average household meat availability increased by 66.7 kilograms. The farmers produced a total of 22,618 eggs, which were sold in the local markets, improving the family nutrition and the income of the household. Each beneficiary earned a total of approximately ₹32,592.
The farmers will be able to sell larger amounts of eggs, chicks, and old birds in the future. The model is easily repeatable in other areas of Nagaland where the same poor poultry situation exists. This project notes how university-led extension programs turn research and scientific knowledge into solutions that benefit rural communities and address the state’s nutritional issues.
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