Farms set up to uplift rural livelihood, address poultry meat shortage in merged districts

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th May, 2026) The Livestock and Dairy Development Department has completed construction of eight out of 14 poultry farms in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to help address shortage of broiler meat in the region, where nearly 95 percent of white meat demand is currently met through supplies from other parts of the country.

“These farms have been established under the Integrated Livestock Development Project (AIP) titled ‘Introduction of Semi-Environmentally Controlled Poultry Housing System and Revitalization of Existing Farms in Merged Areas’,” said Dr. Kamran, Senior Veterinary Officer, Livestock Department KP.

Talking to APP, Dr. Kamran said the Integrated Livestock Development Programme in the merged districts aim to uplift rural livelihoods by promoting poultry farming, improving animal health services, and enhancing silage production for poverty reduction.

Under the project, poultry farms are being established in Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, and North Waziristan districts on a cost-sharing basis, with investments ranging from Rs. 10 to 15 million by landowners and Rs. 18 to 24 million by the Livestock Department, depending on the size and location of the farms.

Each farm is producing a flock of 15,000 chickens with an estimated annual output of around 75,000 birds.

Dr. Kamran informed that work on the remaining six farms is in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year.

The farms are being completed in three phases, beginning with land arrangement and construction of buildings by the owners. The sheds are constructed in accordance with designs approved by the Livestock Department.

In the second phase, the department installs essential machinery and equipment, including feeding lines, electrical wiring, cooling pads, a 30 KV electricity generator, batteries, fans, and a 35 KV solar power generation system.

In the third phase, the farm owner purchases 15,000 chicks as the first flock for the poultry farm.

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The department also provides the first feed for the initial flock to support farm owners and guide them in the selection of quality feed.

Under the project, feed has also been supplied to 123 small-scale poultry farm owners in the merged districts, Dr. Kamran added.

The department is further providing essential medicines and technical services to farm owners to protect birds from seasonal diseases and prevent financial losses.

Project Monitoring Officers, consultants, and veterinary doctors have been assigned to visit the farms on a weekly basis to monitor the flocks and ensure proper safety and disease prevention measures are being implemented.

The initiative will not only reduce the merged districts’ dependence on other areas for poultry meat supply, but will also contribute to economic stability in the region by creating livelihood opportunities for hundreds of people.

Dr. Kamran said that according to estimates, if all 14 poultry farms begin full-scale production of 75,000 birds annually by rearing five flocks of 15,000 chicks each, the combined annual output would reach approximately 1.05 million chickens.

Similarly, he said that if each chicken, with an average weight of two kilograms, is valued at Rs. 350 per kilogram, the total annual revenue generation would amount to around Rs. 735 million, representing a significant economic activity in a region where commercial opportunities remain limited.

He termed the project the first major initiative aimed at encouraging investment by tribal communities in the livestock sector, adding that its financial benefits are likely to attract more people towards poultry farming as a sustainable source of income and livelihood.

He also shared that the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP) for fiscal year 2026-27 may include expansion of the programme to establish similar poultry farms in other districts.