Assam looking to be self-sufficient in egg production by this year

The Assam Livestock and Poultry Corporation (ALPCo) is embarking on a new poultry sector intervention for self-sufficiency in egg production in Assam this year. A fund of Rs. 5,00,000,00 is allocated by the Assam government to the ALPCo for conducting its operation.

In Assam, the total egg consumption is 50,00,000 per day. The state procures 35,00,000 eggs per day from Bangalore and Andhra Pradesh to meet the requirement, another 15,00,000 is added by the state government.

Dr. Purnanada Konwar, Administrative Officer/ Nodal Officer APART-OPIU told Business Northeast that 9281 farmers would be benefitted by the scheme. "We have a target to produce 45,00,000 eggs daily".

The assistance under the Self Sufficiency in Egg Production scheme will be purely credit-linked and subject to the sanction of the project by eligible financial institutions. The farmers will get 50 percent subsidy for conducting their operations.

The objective of the scheme is to encourage poultry farming activities in the States and provide employment opportunities in backward areas through livelihood opportunities. "It will improve productivity and facilitate rearing of pullets for commercial farmers," said Konwar.

Farmers, individual entrepreneurs, Non-Government Organisations, companies, co-operatives, or groups of unorganised and organised sectors which include Self Help Groups, Joint Liability Groups, etc. can avail of the benefits.

"When more than one member of a family is assisted under the scheme the units set by each member should be with separate infrastructure at different locations with a distinct identity. The distance between the boundaries of the two adjacent farms should be at least 200m. Biosecurity norms should be kept in view while locating the units," Konwar said.

"The components that can be financed are central grower units for the rearing of pullets for up to 3-4 months with a minimum capacity of 16,000 pullets annually. The unit cost will be Rs. 30.00 lakh depending on the unit size," he added.

The pattern of assistance for the subsidy stands to be 33.33 percent of the outlay as capital subsidy upfront that is subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10,00,000 for 16000 capacity units. However, the amount may vary depending on the unit size proportionately.

For the Hybrid layer unit chicken, financing will be up to 500 layers (minimum). The unit cost will be Rs. 3.90 lakh for 500 layer units which varies with the size. The pattern of assistance, in this case, will be 50 percent of the outlay as capital subsidy subject to a ceiling of Rs. 1.95 lakh for 500 units.

The subsidy will be restricted on a pro-rata basis depending on the unit size subject to a ceiling of Rs, 3, 90 lakh for a 1000-layer unit.

Konwar said that there are two types of work- layer and broiler. The layer chicks are used for laying eggs and the broiler chicks are used for producing meat.

"We bring 25, 00, 000 eggs from places like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka for hatching for per day operation. The pullets hatched out of it are given to farmers. The farmers rear it for around 42 days. The raised up broiler hen are then sent to the market for sale," he said

ALPCo also helps farmers with market linkage by connecting the farmers to the dealers and the dealers to the retailers. The retailers can also collect the eggs from the wholesaler.

The total revenue earned through selling broiler chicken is Rs. 2640 crores per year.

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