In tune with the changing times, the Kerala State Poultry Development Corporation (KEPCO) is looking for newer ways to woo farmers into poultry-rearing. The latest venture is to provide an information centre for poultry farmers in the state.

Express Buss reports that the idea of KEPCO is to provide every basic information, technical and financial support, in addition to providing farmers infrastructure facilities for poultry rearing. As part of this, KEPCO is opening a poultry complex in Thiruvananthapuram, which will work as the nodal centre for implementing the 'single-window' system.

Mr V. Sunilkumar, Managing Director of KEPCO, said: "It's our attempt to bring in more farmers into this occupation. Besides, providing technical and financial help to farmers across the state we aim to give a commercial flavour to poultry-rearing by introducing new marketing techniques so that farmers could make a reasonable profit out of it."

He added that KEPCO will aid poultry farmers in preparing projects and mobilising financial support from banks. Poultry medicine, the availability of which is limited in the state, would be provided under a single roof.

The poultry complex will have a counter for farmers to sell their chicks and to buy well-bred chicks for rearing. This would enable farmers to get a fair-price for their produce during off-seasons too.

Sukumaran Nair, Marketing Manager of KEPCO, told Express Buzz: "The single-window system will finally lead to automation in pricing strategy. The variations in sale will not affect the farmer when they have an agency like KEPCO to work for them. We will work as mediators to these farmers to get them earn real profit."

The poultry complex will have an information centre and a service centre, which will guide farmers into the new techniques in poultry rearing. Poultry equipment like feeders and brooders will be made available at the complex.

KEPCO also plans to open an eatery serving chicken dishes at the poultry complex. The hormone-free chicken, marinated chicken and other value-added products of KEPCO will be available here. Not only farmers but other people too, will be invited to this eatery, which is expected to earn publicity for KEPCO's chicken.