Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 22: Mr. Tony, a resident of Lucknow village, Mayabunder, has become an inspiring example of how retirement can be turned into a productive and community-serving phase of life through passion for animal husbandry and support from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS).
After retiring from service, Mr. Tony chose to stay active and contribute to his community by starting livestock activities. He began with a small incubator machine, successfully hatching chicks (both desi and Vanaraja breeds) and ducklings. He raised them with care and sold them to interested farmers in Swaraj Dweep, Diglipur, and surrounding areas. In a generous gesture, he also distributed many free of cost to members of the Karen community to encourage them to take up rearing as a livelihood activity. He sources hatching eggs from his own farm as well as from local farmers, ensuring a steady supply for continuous hatching.
Building on his early success, Mr. Tony has now established a small pig farming unit and plans to expand it to 30 pigs in the near future. His efforts not only keep him engaged but also serve as a model for good practices in the community, promoting backyard livestock rearing and sustainable income generation.
Mr. Tony’s journey highlights how simple initiatives, when combined with technical support and dedication, can create meaningful impact. The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services applauds Mr. Tony’s entrepreneurial spirit and remains committed to supporting such progressive farmers through quality inputs, training, and guidance to strengthen rural livelihoods and animal husbandry across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
