Impact of TANUVAS Aseel rearing on livelihood and nutritional security of rural farmers of north eastern part of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

A dual purpose native variety of Aseel has been developed by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University with all the characteristics of the Aseel breed. TANUVAS Aseel chicks have been distributed to 48 Scheduled Caste beneficiaries of North Eastern part of Tamil Nadu belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. A total of 1200 one week old TANUVAS Aseel chicks have been provided to the beneficiaries for free of cost (25 chicks per beneficiary). Chicken brooder mash (10 kg) and chicken grower feed (10 kg) were provided free of cost to the beneficiaries. From the data collected it has been found that the birds achieved an average weight of 1.05kg body weight at 12 weeks of age. The average egg production per month was 12.25 eggs per bird. The results revealed that the average Benefit Cost Ratio achieved by the farmers was was 1.87. An additional income of Rs. 841.67±13.78/was obtained per beneficiary family per month. In addition an average of 66.38±0.60 eggs have been utilized by the family for their feeding purpose.