Every week around 8.95 lakh day-old chicks are being replaced after hatching and the yield of live birds (chicken) has touched 809 lakh kg every year. The turnover from poultry has gone up to Rs 260 crore.

Heartening signs these, but the State is still way behind others as far as per capita consumption is concerned. The 20 percent growth rate cannot increase the per capita consumption and bring it on par with the national average of 5.4 kg.

Integrated broiler farming has vast employment potential ensuring an annual income of around Rs 39,000 per 1,500 birds after meeting the expenses on feed, electricity, water along with sustaining market price variations and calamities. However, the potential is yet to be tapped.

With government support, the sector can develop into a thriving one providing stiff competition to other States while generating more revenue for the exchequer, the farmers said.

According to an estimate, investment in infrastructure for poultry farming in 2006- 07 has gone up to Rs 13.90 crore from 8.45 crore in 2003-04. And this has been done by the private sector.

They have called for extension of incentives and subsidies to the breeders and hatcheries under the Agricultural Policy Resolution - 6.