ManoramaOnline reports that the plan is to procure eggs from a large broiler agency in the country and hatch them at 20 facilities including the veterinary university.

The poultry birds will then be handed over to Kudumbashree units for sale.

The decision was taken at a meeting between Ministers Thomas Isaac and K. Raju had with heads of Kepco, Kudumbashree and Animal Husbandry.

The plan will be discussed and finalised in the coming days at a meeting chaired by the chief minister.

The plan envisages 50 lakh broiler chicken in two months. One thousand birds will be provided to each Kudumbashree unit, and 5,000 units will receive them. Initially, 500 units will receive 1,000 each.

Eggs will be hatched in 21 days. Broiler with 40 days' growth can be marketed.

The government will sanction Rs 5 crore (approx. US$7.7) to buy eggs in the first stage. Marketing outlets will also be set up through Kepco, Meat Products of India and Brahmagiri Dairy Farm of Wayanad.

Government agencies will provide chicken feed and the veterinary university will produce the same.