Impact of Vanaraja Poultry Introduction and Genetic Gain in Rural Livelihood Systems under Biotech-KISAN Hub, West Bengal

Backyard poultry farming serves as an essential livelihood component for small and marginal farmers in rural India, especially for women and socio-economically weaker sections. Under the Department of Biotechnology’s (DBT) Biotech-KISAN Hub Programme , Vanaraja poultry was introduced as a genetically improved, climate-resilient dual-purpose breed to strengthen the rural bioeconomy in five aspirational districts of West Bengal. The present study aimed to assess the genetic, reproductive, and socio-economic impacts of Vanaraja poultry under smallholder backyard systems.A total of 985 Vanaraja-adopting farmers and 5010 associated poultry keepers participated. Interventions included superior germplasm introduction, region-specific mineral supplementation, vaccination, feed management, and training. Results revealed a 17.95% increase in body weight, 14.71% increase in egg production, and 31.25% rise in household income. Genetic analysis indicated a realized heritability (h²) of 0.34 for growth and 0.28 for egg production, with an annual genetic gain of 3.8% and 2.5%, respectively.This initiative enhanced productivity, climate adaptability, women’s entrepreneurship, and bioeconomic resilience, aligning with DBT’s BioE³ vision—Biotechnology for Bioeconomy, Empowerment, and Equity. The findings demonstrate how Vanaraja poultry can serve as a replicable genetic and livelihood improvement model for India’s rural poultry sector.