Designed to step up the domestic production of chicken and eggs in a big way, the project seeks to establish a hi-tech layer farm and meat processing plant at Kudappanakunnu in Thiruvananthapuram, a layer breeder farm at Kuriyottumala in Kollam, and a poultry feed mill at Mala in Thrissur district.

The proposed layer farm is a state-of-the-art environment-controlled facility, the first one of its kind to be set up in Kerala. "The high humidity, low wind movement ambience in Kerala make the birds susceptible to diseases. The proximity of the broiler parent stock at Kudappanakunu enhances the risk of cross infection," explained K.N. Noushad Ali, Managing Director, KSPDC.

The layer farm to house 50,000 birds will be equipped with temperature control and dehumidifiers, mechanised egg collection, automated feed hoppers, and facilities to dehydrate and extract the bird droppings. Each layer bird will produce 305 eggs a year, of which more than 90 per cent are recoverable. The layer farm is expected to be ready for commissioning in three months.

KSPDC chairman K. Padmakumar told The Hindu that it was a major step in Kerala’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in egg production. He said the corporation was preparing to launch a novel scheme, under which 10 layer birds each would be given to widows requiring livelihood support. "Named KSPDC- Ashraya, it will supplement the school poultry clubs and other backyard rearing programmes," he added.

KSPDC is also gearing up to install a new poultry meat processing plant at Kudappanakunnu to produce dressed, pre-cut, curry-cut, and other value-added chicken products. With a capacity to process 1,000 birds per hour, the plant will complement the corporation’s existing plant at Pettah that currently handles 200 birds per hour.

Another priority project preparing to take off is the establishment of a layer breeder farm to house a parent stock of 10,000 birds at Kuriyottumala in Kollam district. Apart from the broiler parent stock at Kudappanakunnu, KSPDC maintains layer breeding stocks at Mala and Kottiyam. "Our attempt is to produce acclimatised stocks that are more resistant to diseases than imported birds," said Dr Ali.

KSPDC’s first pellet feed mill for broilers is coming up at Mala in Thrissur.