Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 09: To promote sustainable livelihoods for farmers and make the Islands self-sufficient in meat production, the Department of Animal Husbandry is implementing various schemes. The Poultry Development Program has been highly successful in the Islands, with commercial farming becoming independent and self-sustained. Backyard poultry farming is particularly popular, and egg and meat production in the Islands exceeds the national average.
Moving forward, the Department plans to focus on creating dedicated market avenues for better remuneration. As part of this vision, the Department has launched a pilot project aimed at promoting the local duck breed of Swaraj Dweep and the Quail (Bateer) of Shaheed Dweep in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The ‘Duck and Quail Village’ initiative seeks to connect tourism with local farmers and foster entrepreneurship through modern animal husbandry practices. This program is designed to emphasize sustainable animal husbandry, empower farmers, create market opportunities, and build community resilience. By improving farming practices, enhancing market linkages, and offering capacity-building initiatives, the project aims to boost productivity, increase incomes, improve food security, and provide tourists with a chance to enjoy local organic cuisines.
Under the ‘Duck and Quail Village’ initiative, selected farmers have been identified and trained. As the first step in this project, the Department has distributed 700 Quail and 545 Duck chicks to the interested farmers, encouraging them to adopt farming as a sustainable and viable source of income and nutrition. Local farmers have expressed excitement in expanding their farming activities. This initiative represents a significant step in diversifying the agricultural landscape of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, empowering the farming community, and enhancing the region’s economic and nutritional well-being.
