Sri Vijaya Puram, Apr 02: Smti Alo Mondal, a 50-year-old resident of North Wandoor, has emerged as an inspiring example of how dedication, innovation and departmental support can transform poultry farming into a sustainable and profitable livelihood for rural women.
Initially rearing Desi birds purely out of personal interest, Smti Mondal soon realised the potential for higher income and shifted to Vanaraja birds, a hardy dual-purpose breed known for excellent egg and meat production. With visionary support from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS), she received 200 Vanaraja chicks from the Central Hatchery, Dollygunj. The Department also provided continuous technical guidance, timely advice and cleared all her doubts, enabling her to manage the birds scientifically under a backyard system.
Smti Mondal allows her birds to range freely near her house in batches, which has significantly reduced feed costs while maintaining good health. Demonstrating remarkable innovation and resourcefulness, she constructed her poultry shed using fishing nets on the side walls — a low-cost solution that ensures excellent ventilation and drastically cuts down construction expenses.
Her success story stands as a powerful motivation for rural women, showing how small-scale backyard poultry farming, when supported with proper training and inputs, can generate steady income and improve socio-economic status. The AH&VS Department continues to encourage and support women, unemployed youth and farmers by supplying quality chicks, technical guidance and training programmes to promote self-employment and nutritional security across the islands.
Smti Alo Mondal’s journey proves that with the right support and determination, rural women can achieve remarkable success in livestock-based enterprises and contribute significantly to household income and community development.
