Jammu, Jan 5: Kathua district, serving as the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, is poised to receive a state-of-the-art poultry hatchery, expected to become the largest in the region. Valued at Rs 5 crores, the hatchery aims to significantly boost monthly chicken production in the Jammu Division.
According to official sources, the hatchery, established by the Animal Husbandry Department, will employ a low-tech system to produce chicks, thereby increasing both egg and meat production in the area. The facility is anticipated to generate 25,000 to 30,000 chicks per month.
The project, situated in Kathua, is part of the department’s efforts to promote the poultry sector. With an estimated cost of Rs five crore, the hatchery will be established within the Animal Husbandry Department in Kathua. The district is expected to benefit significantly from the hatchery, offering new employment opportunities for the local youth. After training, unemployed youth will be eligible for setting up poultry and hatchery units on a large scale, with the department providing a 50 percent subsidy.
Additionally, a feed mill is in the pipeline near the hatchery, contributing to the overall development of the poultry sector. The monthly chicken production from the hatchery is planned for distribution across various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Official sources mentioned that the hatchery will not only meet the local demand for eggs and meat but will also eliminate the need to import chickens from other states. Furthermore, the hatchery unit will serve as a training center for individuals associated with the poultry sector, enabling them to enhance their businesses with modern technologies.
The establishment of the new hatchery unit falls under the Upgradation and Strengthening of Poultry Hatchery Programme by the Animal Husbandry Department. It is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the region’s demand for poultry products while creating significant employment opportunities for the local population.
