KVK, Ernakulam popularises indigenous fowl Kadaknath in Ernakulam District of Kerala

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ernakulam has established more than 600 backyard Kadaknath units in the District. The KVK has also set-up its satellite Kadaknath Chick Rearing Unit in partnership with a farmer. In addition, the KVK is also maintaining the parent stock of pure Kadaknath. The initiative has been taken in line with the Government of India programme for promoting and conserving the indigenous backyard poultry - Kadaknath.

The Kadaknath is a native breed of the poultry having black meat and inhabiting Jhabua and Dhar Districts in the Western parts of Madhya Pradesh. It can tolerate the extreme climatic conditions and thrives very well under the minimal management while exhibiting the appreciable degree of resistance to the diseases. The Ernakulam KVK has been working over a period of 7 years to popularize the indigenous breed. The Kadaknath farming enables the farmer for reaping the financial benefits while conserving the indigenous poultry.

The Ernakulam KVK popularized the technology of scientific rearing of Kadaknath via the publications, newspapers and Doordarshan’s Programmes since the Year - 2012. The day-old chicks from the Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), Mumbai, reared for 60 days, vaccinated and supplied to farmers through the exclusive sales Melas are being procured by the KVK regularly.

For the purpose of massive rearing of the chicks for ensuring the large scale supply through the KVK, a Satellite Chick Rearing Unit of the KVK was set-up in the field of farmer, Shri Shobhanan, Kadamattussery, Kuzhupilly, Ernakulam. This Public-Private Partnership arrangement is now helping the farmer to earn a monthly income of INR 16,250/-.

During the Year - 2018, the KVK initiated the maintenance of the Parent stock of Pure Kadaknath in the field of farmer, Mrs. Sulfath Moideen, Kattuparambil, Edavanakkad P.O., Aniyil for the future production of the good quality pure chicks.

Now, a total of 5,560 pure Kadaknath Chicks could be supplied to more than 600 farmers through 8 sales Melas conducted during the Years 2013 to 2019. In order to popularize the meat and eggs of the indigenous poultry among the consumers from Kerala, the KVK has made pure Kadaknath meat available at its sales counter. This facility is also helping the farmer to get fair price.

(Source: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ernakulam, Kochi)