Launch of AICRP on Poultry Breeding Centre at KVK-Leh, Ladakh

23 July 2025, Leh, Ladakh

The All India Coordinated Research Project on Poultry Breeding Centre was formally inaugurated today at Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Leh, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir , UT Ladakh.

The ceremony was graced by Sh. Tashi Namgay Yakzee, Executive Councillor (Animal/Sheep), LAHDC Leh, as Chief Guest, and Dr. R. N. Chatterjee, Director, ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad, as Guest of Honour, along with other dignitaries and scientists from DIHAR, CAZRI, and SAS&T University of Ladakh.

Shri Yakzee acknowledged ICAR for establishing the poultry project in Ladakh, highlighting its role in empowering rural women. He urged coordinated efforts among departments for farmer welfare and assured LAHDC's support in providing poultry units, infrastructure, and fencing. He also emphasized the need for marketing and value addition to ensure sustainable poultry farming in the region.

Dr. R. N. Chatterjee, Director, ICAR-DPR, lauded the Principal Investigator and team for introducing poultry farming in Ladakh’s challenging conditions. Citing Vanaraja’s success in Kashmir, he highlighted its potential in Ladakh and the centre’s scope to develop a location-specific poultry variety. He assured the supply of 50–100 Vanaraja chicks to interested farmers and urged LAHDC and related departments to ensure continued support for the centre’s success.

Around 56 farmers participated in the event and raised important concerns including shelter, feeding, and predator threats. Poultry inputs such as feed, mineral mixture, and grass cutters were distributed.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad)