Kumbalangi, the first tourism village in the country, is out to set another example. The coastal village aims to cater to the egg demands of the city through the panchayat’s poultry farming project.
Under the Rural Backyard Poultry Project, 45 two-month-old chicks each will be distributed to 500 families. “The chicks will be distributed in three phases. In the first phase, 20 chicks will be distributed followed by 15 and 10 in the second and third phases respectively. The beneficiaries will have to pay `10 per chick,” said panchayat president Usha Pradeep.
“The panchayat has already distributed 15,000 chicks. After distributing 22,500 more, we expect the village to be not only self-reliant in egg production but also to supply eggs to the people in the city. The surplus can be sold in and around the city,” Usha said.
The chicks are of Grama soubhagya breed. The project is technically supported by Kerala State Poultry Development Corporation(KEPCO)
Usha said the beneficiaries will have to bear the expenses of a cage to accommodate 45 chicks. He or she will also have to sign an agreement with the panchayat that the chicks will not be killed for meat or sold, but used only for egg production.
“Kudumbashree volunteers will keep a tab on the beneficiaries who will be penalised if they sell or kill the chicks,” she said.
As the feed will be chemical-free, the organic eggs will be more nutritious. “Eggs we consume now come from other states where chicks are mainly fed on chemical feeds for high yield,’’ she said.
Kumbalangi panchayat has already launched some projects. Formation of Federation of Coconut Farmers, cultivation of spices as inter-crop on coconut farms are the projects proposed under Sustainable Agri Village. Other components include schemes for rainwater harvesting and milk production. Homestead, a complete way of agrarian life, is another highlight of the project. “Homesteads will be a major attraction especially in Kumbalangi which has already attained fame as a model tourism village,” said Sivadathan, convener of Federation of Coconut Farmers, who is also the president of Kumbalangi Model Tourism Society. “Our aim is to set up 100 homesteads in Kumbalangi before the next tourism season,” he said.