MUMBAI, 17 March 2024: Poultry farming is a profitable business and it is defined as the process of raising domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, hens, and geese for meat or eggs. Maharashtra, being the third-largest egg producer in the country, has a thriving poultry industry.
Steps to Start a Poultry Farm
- Site Selection and Construction: Choose a location away from the city with adequate ventilation, good air circulation, and accessibility for road and transportation. The farm should be constructed east-west to avoid too much sunlight.
- Choosing Healthy Chickens and Breeds: Selecting the right breed of chickens is crucial for the success of the poultry farm. The chickens raised for eggs are known as layers, while the chickens raised for meat are called broilers.
- Feeding Management: Proper feeding management is essential for the growth and health of the poultry birds.
- Care and Management: Regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and maintaining hygiene standards are important for disease prevention and health management.
Government Regulations and Permissions
To set up a poultry farm in Maharashtra, you need to obtain several permissions and licenses:
- No Objection Certificate from the local government in the area where you are planning to set up a poultry farm.
- NOC from the pollution board of the area.
- Electrical permission whether to have a transformer based on the size of the farm you are planning to set up.
- Permissions from the groundwater department for the supply of water.
Cost of Setting Up a Poultry Farm
The cost of setting up a poultry farm can vary from INR 135 to INR 350 per Square feet. For a small-scale poultry farm, the approximate cost involved is INR 50,000 to INR 150,000. For a farm with 4000 birds, the setup cost is approximately INR 5 Lakh rupees, and the equipment cost for poultry farming is approximately INR 2.5 lakh.
Government Schemes and Subsidies
The central and state governments are providing credit and training facilities at their respective levels to promote the poultry business. The Poultry Venture Capital Fund Scheme is a primary scheme given by NABARD and Ministry of micro, small and medium scale enterprises for supporting farmers and helping to promote poultry farming activity.
Challenges
Some of the challenges faced by poultry farms include economic pressures, biosecurity concerns, environmental sustainability, and unpredictability of market prices. Farmers are demanding that electricity be charged at an agricultural rate for poultry businesses and that the Gram Panchayat tax be reduced.
Conclusion
Setting up a poultry farm in Maharashtra can be a profitable venture with the right planning and management. It’s important to understand the costs, regulations, and potential challenges involved. With the support of government schemes and subsidies, it can be a sustainable and rewarding business.
