In view of the increasing demand for nutritious Kadaknath chicken in other states and big cities the government is setting up Kadaknath rearing units for tribal women.
Beneficiaries are being provided shed, utensils, grains, 100 chickens and technical knowledge at a cost of about one lakh rupees.
Vaccinated 28 days old chicks are being given to the beneficiaries . Due to vaccination their mortality rate is negligible.
If the beneficiary is not able to sell Kadaknath, then the Animal Husbandry Department will also buy eggs, chicken etc. from them. Kadaknath has got GI tag also.
| Element | Kadaknath | Other species |
| Growth time | 90-100 days | 40-45 days |
| Weight | 1250 gms/ 90-100 days | 2 kgs/ 40-45 days |
| Crude Protein | 25%-27% | 17%-18% |
| Calories | 2400-2500 Calories | 3250-2800 Calories |
| Fat | 0.73 to 1.03 % | 13 to 25 % |
| Cholesterol | 184.75 mg/100 gm | 218.12 mg |
| Linoleic Acid | 24 % | 21 % |
| Diseases | Less contagious | More contagious to bacterial and viral diseases |
| Profit from rearing | Selling at higher rate with branded value and regular income Selling at normal value and lower rates |
In this innovation of Kadaknath Poultry Farming Scheme, 30 Kadaknath poultry units have been set up for tribal women in tribal-dominated Gobraon Kala, Pithorabad, Dhaneh, Jiganhat, Bandhi, Mouhar and Narhati villages of Uchehra block of Satna district.
They have been given 40 each Kadaknath chicks and 58 kg of high quality poultry feed in the first phase. Beneficiary Rumi Kol says that this scheme has brought us prosperity. Not only will our family get nutritious food, our income will also increase manifold.
It is noteworthy that the skin, feathers, meat and blood of the Kadaknath chicken are all black. Compared to white chicken, the level of cholesterol in it is very low, due to the low amount of fat, it is considered very beneficial for the patients of heart and diabetes.
Along with boosting immune power, it is low in fat, rich in protein, beneficial for cardio-respiratory and anaemic patients. Kadaknath is quite expensive as compared to other chickens and their eggs. Its one egg is available for about 30 rupees and the chicken for 900 to 1100 rupees per kg. While the cost of hen is three times more .
In Jhabua district 106 women tribal beneficiaries, 87 in Alirajpur and 117 in Barwani district have also started rearing Kadaknath in the first phase. In these districts, the Poultry Development Corporation has provided 10×17 sheds, utensils, grains up to 6 months, 50 vaccinated chickens to the beneficiaries. The second phase has started in Jhabua.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has praised the implementation of the scheme. He has said that soon these tribal women will not only start generating a good income from Kadaknath but will also hand over a bright future to their children with nutritious food.
