Patna: Bihar has unveiled an ambitious plan to achieve self-sufficiency in broiler chick and fertile egg production, aiming to reduce its current 82% dependence on imports from other states such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
The state government has approved the construction of 10 new hatchery plants in a move to boost local poultry infrastructure. Currently, only 16 hatcheries operate within Bihar, meeting just 18% of the monthly demand for broiler chicks and eggs. Officials say the state consumes approximately 10 crore chicks and 90 lakh fertile eggs every month.
“Just as Bihar broke Andhra Pradesh’s dominance in fish production, we aim to do the same in poultry,” a senior official from the Animal and Fisheries Resources Department told reporters.
To support the expansion, the government has sanctioned an initial sum of Rs 11.70 crore. Each hatchery plant will require an investment of Rs 3.5 crore and two and a half acres of land. The facilities will house up to 10,000 chickens, including 9,000 parent hens and 1,000 parent roosters.
Subsidies have been introduced to incentivise private participation, with 40% assistance for SC/ST beneficiaries and 30% for others. The project is expected to create significant employment opportunities in rural Bihar.
Dr Anjali Kumari, an Animal Husbandry Officer, confirmed that applications for setting up the plants will be processed online. Preliminary screening and final approvals will be handled by the Animal Husbandry Directorate.
Key benefits of the scheme include:
- Increased production of broiler chicks and fertile eggs
- Rise in private-sector hatchery investments
- Greater self-reliance in poultry supply
- Enhanced rural employment
- Strengthened local poultry ecosystem
The initiative reflects Bihar’s broader strategy to bolster agri-based self-sufficiency, a model previously implemented with success in fisheries.
