MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Thursday launched the “Backyard Poultry Production for Women” project, distributing poultry birds among deserving women in Muzaffarabad.
The press release said the initiative has been launched under the vision of PM Barrister Iftikhar Gilani as an effort towards self-sufficiency of women, improving household incomes and self-employment opportunities for women.
The project primarily aims to provide poultry birds to widows, orphans, destitute women, and other deserving women, particularly those seeking opportunities to contribute to their household expenses.
Officials said the initiative is designed to help deserving women move towards economic self-reliance and a sustainable source of income.
The programme was launched in Muzaffarabad under the supervision of Secretary Agriculture and Livestock Chaudhry Muhammad Raqib and Director General Dr Muhammad Ijaz Khan.
The Livestock Department officials said that the objective of the Backyard Poultry Program is to help deserving women earn additional income, meet their nutritional needs, and improve the economic condition of their families through raising poultry at the household level.
“Through this project, special attention is being paid to involving women in economic activities and providing them with self-employment opportunities.”
The officials said that even a small poultry unit can contribute towards household expenses, children’s education, improved nutrition and greater financial security.
They said the initiative forms part of the government’s commitment to involve women and economically vulnerable communities in development activities and expand opportunities for self-employment across Azad Kashmir.
The concerned authorities expressed the hope that effective and transparent implementation of the project will increase the economic self-sufficiency of women. “It will improve the income of families and promote poultry production at the household level in Azad Kashmir.”
