Nandapur There is a high demand for desi (indigenous) chickens and eggs in the market. Desi chicken is being sold at Rs 500 to Rs 600 per kilogram, while eggs are sold at Rs 7 to Rs 8 each. Experts say that the climate in Koraputia is favorable for desi chicken farming and it yields more profit with less effort. However, former block chairman Gopal Krishna Bevra, MP representative Gopal Matam, and MLA representative Kamesh Kamudi have pointed out that there is no encouragement for desi chicken farming in Koraput district, including Nandapur block.
Government support is largely directed towards broiler chicken farming. Due to the local adverse climate, broiler farming has not been profitable for farmers, leading many individual and group broiler farms in villages to shut down or lie abandoned. Broiler chickens are being brought in from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for sale in the region. Middlemen are buying locally raised desi chickens from rural farmers.
Farmer Damuni Pangi is rearing desi chickens and is making profits by selling them in urban areas.
There are government provisions to make both men and women self-reliant through individual and group poultry farming. The government provides subsidies to farmers. However, local organizations like Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Mission Shakti, Livelihood Mission, Animal Husbandry Department, and NGOs are found promoting foreign (broiler) poultry farming rather than desi poultry. Tempted by enthusiasm and subsidies, farmers are opening broiler farms but are suffering losses due to the cold climate, electricity and water issues, food and drink shortages, and lack of proper knowledge and maintenance. Eventually, they are shutting down their farms.
On the other hand, desi chickens are being raised at home with minimal care and effort due to the favorable climate, especially in the Nandapur block. In 2022–23, eight groups received 2,000 chicks and loans worth Rs 3 lakhs, with a subsidy of Rs 1.44 lakhs. Similarly,
Less effort, high demand, and more profit
In 2022–23, 20 individuals, and in 2023–24, 13 individuals were provided with up to 500 chicks and loans worth Rs 1.44 lakhs, along with a subsidy of Rs 72,000, according to the Nandapur Block Mission Shakti Office. However, due to farmers’ lack of awareness and unfavorable weather, most groups except Khurti Om Shanti Mahila Group and Paraja Badapada Panchayat’s Chatodiplaat Mahila Group have suffered losses in broiler farming. These farmers are now working as daily wage laborers to repay group loans. But Khuli and Chatodiplaat Mahila Groups are profiting by farming desi chickens instead of broilers.
Inspired by them, 25 farmers with help from 23 livestock (SPPIF) and 8 agriculture (APC) department-supported voluntary organizations have started rearing 100–300 and 6 farmers with 500–1000 desi chicks each in the block area.
If all such farmers are identified and given government financial and technical support, desi poultry farming can progress further, said Damuni Pangi of Golurur and Dahna Kirshani of Semila village.
When asked about public opinion and the status of desi vs. broiler poultry farming, Block Livestock Officer Ajit Kumar Pati stated that there is a proper market setup for broiler poultry and trade. However, despite the demand for desi chicken, there is no organized market for it, and thus no government incentives are provided for desi poultry. He emphasized that with a structured market, and proper training considering local knowledge, skill, trust, and climate, people can greatly benefit from desi poultry farming.