Youth in Bihar's Chhapra district are increasingly looking beyond traditional farming by embracing livestock and poultry sectors to generate substantial income. By leveraging technical training provided by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Manjhi, young farmers are successfully diversifying into poultry and goat rearing alongside their regular cash crops. One such success story is that of Alamgir, also known as Chand, a resident of Kopa. After completing his graduation from Jai Prakash University, rather than chasing traditional employment, he chose to invest his efforts into poultry farming, which has since turned into a profitable venture.
Finding Inspiration in a Humble Family Business
The foundation of Alamgir's business is deeply rooted in his father's small-scale operations. His father used to run a modest stall selling eggs in Chhapra. During his academic years, Alamgir frequently assisted his father, which allowed him to gain invaluable insight into the market dynamics of the poultry industry. This exposure inspired him to set up his own poultry farm. Initially starting on a small scale, he began raising his own flock. This proved to be a highly effective model, as it allowed him to source both eggs and poultry meat directly from his own farm to supply the shop. Selling both eggs and live birds effectively doubled his profit margins.
Operating 12,000 Birds and Massive Daily Supply
As the business grew, Alamgir scaled up his operations significantly. Currently, his farm houses approximately 12,000 chickens. The farm produces about 11,000 eggs daily, which are supplied not just to local markets in Chhapra, but also to Siwan, Gopalganj, Vaishali, and the state capital, Patna. Alamgir notes that these birds provide a consistent yield of eggs for roughly 20 months, after which they are sold for meat, creating a secondary revenue stream that ensures continuous earnings. This cycle allows him to maximize his returns from both the eggs and the poultry itself.
Creating Employment for the Community
Beyond personal success, Alamgir has become a source of livelihood for others, employing about 12 local people within his operations. These individuals are responsible for tasks such as feeding the birds, managing healthcare for the poultry, and handling the packaging of eggs for distribution. Offering advice to fellow youth, Alamgir emphasizes that anyone can easily enter this sector by taking advantage of free training provided by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and utilizing various government loan schemes to get started.
