Rajouri youth earns ₹50,000/month from govt-backed poultry farm, employs 5
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A young resident of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir has built a self-sustaining poultry enterprise under the Central government's Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) scheme, earning between ₹50,000 and ₹60,000 per month and creating jobs for five local residents. The success story, emerging from the Tandwal-Mubarakpura area, is being cited as a model for government-backed rural self-employment in the region.
How the venture began
Ehtesham, the beneficiary, said his family had no stable income before his father learned about the animal husbandry scheme and applied for support. The Animal Husbandry Department provided chicks to start the unit, along with training and a loan to get the operation running. 'Before starting this venture, life was very difficult, and we had to take on debt to manage household expenses,' he said.
The farm now raises chickens and sells eggs as its primary revenue stream. Ehtesham credited the scheme's structured support — covering starter stock, technical training, and financial assistance — as the turning point for his family.
What the government scheme offers
Under the DAHD framework, beneficiaries receive subsidies, monetary assistance, and technical guidance. Dr. Khalid, the Chief Animal Husbandry Officer of Rajouri, confirmed that dozens of poultry units are now operating successfully across the district under various government schemes.
He noted that the department prioritises proper guidance, training, and ongoing support to help beneficiaries establish and scale their ventures. According to Dr. Khalid, the schemes are particularly aimed at educated, unemployed youth seeking self-employment close to home.
Wider impact in Rajouri
Ehtesham's case is not isolated. Many unemployed youth and farmers in Rajouri are turning to poultry farming as a dependable livelihood option, according to district officials. The trend reflects a broader shift in how Central schemes are being absorbed at the grassroots level in Jammu and Kashmir.
The venture's ability to generate local employment — beyond just the primary beneficiary — is being highlighted as evidence that the model has multiplier effects at the community level.
What this signals for rural J&K
Rajouri, a district with historically limited formal employment opportunities, is seeing a gradual uptick in self-employment activity linked to animal husbandry support. Officials say the pipeline of applicants for such schemes has grown, driven in part by visible success stories like Ehtesham's.
As the DAHD continues to expand its reach in Jammu and Kashmir, district-level officers are expected to intensify outreach to ensure more eligible youth can access subsidies and training in the coming months.