Chickens sent to capital homes to roost

Backyard Poultry Programme formally launched with the distribution of chickens

ISLAMABAD:

Delayed by over seven months due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ‘Backyard Poultry Programme’ finally started clucking on Tuesday after basic poultry sets distributed amongst registered families.

In this regard, a ceremony was held at the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad where the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Livestock Department distributed a basic set of five chickens and a cockerel amongst those who had registered and qualified for the programme.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Capital Development Authority (CDA) Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan, who chaired the event, said that the premier’s projects are very successful despite the criticism heaped on them.

He appreciated efforts of the Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB) and the ICT for successfully executing the project.

Explaining how these birds could be utilised, LDDB Chief Executive Officer Dr Fatahullah Khan said that people living in suburban areas can obtain a source fo daily nourishment in the form of the eggs laid by the chickens.

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Furthermore, he said that people from the lower and middle-income segments can sell excess eggs to enhance their monthly income and meet daily needs.

He added that the livestock department had provided an indigenous breed of chickens who will start laying eggs within 45 days.

Dr Fatahullah said that the project had received a significant response from across Pakistan while they had achieved 87 per cent of their targets in their first year despite the pandemic.

During the event, ICT officials raised their concern over the absence of an abattoir in Islamabad. They said that the sale of unhygienic and medically unchecked meat is on the rise in the federal capital due to the absence of a modern slaughter facility and could lead to health complications amongst residents.

Awan assured them that a modern slaughterhouse will be built in Islamabad soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2020.