UNITED SIKHS LIVELIHOOD PROJECT

 

CHICKEN FARMING PILOT PROJECT. NAVALLADY, BATTICALOA,

 SRI LANKA

 

 

SITE    

 

Navallady. The tsunami survivors from Navallady are currently housed on 3 sites namely Central College, Sahira College and Navallady Village. Approximately 116 families have returned to Navallady. Approximately 47 families remain on site in Navallady overnight and the rest either return to the 2 colleges in Batti or stay with relatives in the evenings.

 

 

PROJECT AIM

 

To provide sustainable livelihood means for the most vulnerable survivors of the Tsunami. The pilot project will entail setting up small scale chicken rearing farms. The families will be  provided with 20 egg laying chicks (layers) and 20 meat producing chicks (broilers), 2 suitable coups, watering containers, feeders, necessary training conducted by a Veterinarian, medicines and inoculations for the chicks.

 

It is hoped that the project will help the families to start up a sustainable income source that could become self funding over the longer term.

 

For longer term development of the small farms we have enlisted the help of Foundation for Co-Existence (FCE), a Sri Lankan NGO, who have kindly agreed to monitor the progress of the recipients and provide the necessary support for the continued success of these farms. We will procure and supply the necessary start up material and FCE will take over after delivery.

 

 

RECEIPENT SELECTION CRITERIA

 

For the purposes of this pilot project we have identified 12 single mother family units  where the husband  is no longer present either due to death before or during the Tsunami or separation and reside in Navallady on a permanent basis. To achieve this we interviewed all the families in Navallady and crossed checked our findings with information provided by FCE. This selection criterion identified 10 suitable recipients and as such this pilot project has been restricted to 10 units.

 

 

VIABILITY 

 

Though a thorough financial return study was not carried for this project our basic research indicated that consumers for the produce were available at Navallady itself though if the project was to be expanded a new market for the produce will need to be found. The broilers would be ready for the market in 45 days and as it is widely understood that the Government would be withdrawing their financial support to the survivors in about 2 months. The income from selling the broilers would be very timely. The recipients would be able to sell their broilers and use some of the income to replenish their stock. The layers will begin to produce eggs and a daily income source after 5 months. .

 

COST BREAKDOWN

 

The costing shown below is based on supplying 12 families with small scale farms with 40 chicks comprising 20 layers and 20 broilers.

 

Broilers

Coups    (5’ x  6’)  12 units @ RS6000/=

Wood frame with wire mesh and corrugated single pitch zinc roof     RS    72,000/

Chicks 240@ RS49/=                                                                            RS    11,760/

Small Drinkers 1litre 24 @ RS 55/=                                                     RS      1,320/

Large Drinkers 4 litre 24 @ RS140/=                                                   RS      3,360/

Feeders 3kg 24 @ RS165/=                                                                   RS      3,960/

Feed

Starter 40kg per unit x 12 @RS42/= per kg   (day 01 to day 24)          RS    20,160/

Finisher 40kg per unit x 12 @RS40.4/= per kg (day 25 to day 44)       RS    19,392/

Vaccines including supply and application by the Vet                          RS      2,880/

 

Layers

Coups    (5’ x 7’) 12 units @ RS 7000/=

Wood frame with wire mesh and double pitch corrugated zinc roof     RS    84,000/

Chicks 240 @ RS60/=                                                                            RS    14,400/

Small drinkers 1litre 12 @ RS55/=                                                        RS         660/

Large Drinkers 4 litre 12 @ RS140/=                                                    RS       1,680/

Large Feeder 3kg 12 @ RS165/=                                                           RS      1,980/

Feed

Chick mash 40kg per unit x 12 @RS42/= per kg (wk 0 to wk 8)          RS     20,160/

Grower mash 105kg per unit x 12 @RS62.16 per kg (wk 9 to wk 18)  RS     78,322/

Layer mash 66kg per unit x 12 @ RS55 per kg (wk 19 to wk 22)         RS     43,560/

Vaccines                                                                                                 RS        3,600/

 

General

Delivery of coups to individual sites                                                      RS       5,000/

Provisional amount for disease outbreak medicines                               RS       3,000/

Good husbandry training for recipients by Dr                                        RS       2,000/                                                     

                                                                                                                  ----------------

Total                                                                                                          RS 393,194/

 

 

Notes

 

  1. The costs for the coups are higher than normal as the cost of building materials have shot up in the area due to high demand caused by post tsunami reconstruction work.
  2. We took advice from other chicken farm owners in the area and Dr K S Sunmugalingham, the local Government Veterinarian in deciding on the size of the coups, amount and type of feed required, type of chicks, type of drinkers, feeders etc.
  3. The costs of the items were also crosschecked with other suppliers to ensure we were not being overcharged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECIPIENTS

 

  1. S Kanahai – Aged 60s, lost all her immediate family in the Tsunami, has done very small scale chicken rearing and will be able to get help from cousin to work with the chickens.
  2. A Jayanthini – Orphan aged 17, has 1 brother aged 14 and used to help her mum rear chickens. Will get help with the chickens from her gran who also lives in Navallady
  3. K Vijayaletchumi   Aged 50s, lost her husband to the tsunami, has 4 grown up sons, used to run the local shop but also reared chickens.
  4. T Indradavi – Aged 38, lost husband, has son aged 14, would prefer sewing machine but also keen on chicken farming.
  5. Rubasingham Parbeti – Aged 60s, husband dead before tsunami, has unemployed son aged 29  and has reared chickens for livelihood previously.
  6. P Thangaratna – Aged 60, husband died before tsunami, has unemployed son aged  25, has experience in chicken rearing.
  7. M Thangaletchumi – Aged mid 40s, husband died before tsunami, has unemployed son aged 25, has experience in chicken rearing.
  8. K Pavalam – Aged 56, partially blind, lost her husband and children to the tsunami. She also lost a sister in the tsunami and is now looking after her daughter.
  9. G Yoganahi – Aged 60s, lost her husband to the tsunami, has unemployed son 23, has experience with chicken rearing.
  10. P Muthuletchumi – Lost her husband to the Tsunami, used to rear over 100 chickens before tsunami, has 2 unemployed sons aged 24 and 26 and 1 unemployed daughter aged 20.
  11. K Malikadevi – Lost husband to tsunami, has 3 sons, 2 school going and 1 works as fisherman. Has experience with chicken rearing.
  12. M Nahaswary – Aged 44, lost husband to tsunami, used to own a shop before tsunami, also has experience in chicken rearing.

 

The information on the recipients was collected by visiting each temporary home and information was also obtained from Mr Kandan - the FCE field officer for Navallady.  All recipients were interviewed. The method we employed meant that the selection criterion that was set was met. This however caused resentment and hostility between us and some of the people of Navallady felt the criteria were wrong. We stuck to this criterion as the men were getting nets and women who had lost their husbands prior to the tsunami were not entitled to receive help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIMELINES

 

23 July 2005                                           5PM

 

Meeting for all residents of Navallady, United Sikhs and FCE to explains the selection criteria and announce names of recipients.

 

24 July 2005                                           1PM

 

Delivery of coups, feeders, drinkers and feed commences.

 

25 July 2005                                           4.30PM

 

Dr K S Sunmugalingham conducts good husbandry training session with recipients.

 

26 July 2005                                           10AM

 

Arrival of layer chicks from Colombo and distribution of chicks to recipients.

 

28 July 2005                                           10AM

 

Arrival of broiler chicks from Colombo and distribution to recipients.

 

18 August 2005                                      10AM

 

Delivery of broiler finisher feed and Delivery of 2nd batch of layer chick mash feed

 

10 September 2005

 

Broilers ready for sale

 

20 September 2005                                 10AM

 

Delivery of 1st batch of grower mash for layers (4 weeks supply = 50 kg)

 

12 October 2005                                      10AM

 

Delivery of 2nd batch of layers grower mash (5 weeks supply = 55kg)

 

10 November 2005                                     10AM

 

Delivery of Layers mash (1 months supply = 66kg)

 

5 December 2005

 

Murgi andeh dendhi   Layers should start laying eggs.

 

SUPPLIERS

Coups supplied and delivered by Mr Gabriel Yusehdasan Tel 0094776984685

 

Chicks, Feed, Feeders. Drinkers supplied by J M Centre, 202 Trinco Road, Batticaloa

 

Veterinarian Dr K S Sunmugalingham from Batticaloa Government Veterinary Centre Tel 0094652222750

 

Funding received from private donations collected by Katherine.

 

 

 

PHASE TWO

 

Phase 2 of this project to supply a further 8 families was initiated on 23 July 2005 as it was felt that there were some families who did not meet the pilot scheme criterion but were worthy of help. It was brought to our attention that there were 2 orphan children who missed out on the first survey as there were at that time living mainly at Sahira College as it was easier for them to attend school.

 

After lengthy discussions with the local committee members it was decided that a village meeting would be held on the evening of 23 July and 7 new recipients would be selected by a lottery system and the participants of the lottery would be women who have not received much assistance from other agencies. The selected recipients were interviewed by our team to verify their eligibility. These recipients participated in the training programme organised for the pilot scheme recipients hence saving the costs of a separate session. 

 

 

The delivery of phase 2 would commence 7 August 2005.

 

 

COST BREAKDOWN

 

The costing shown below is based on supplying 8 families with small scale farms with 40 chicks comprising 20 layers and 20 broilers.

 

 

Broilers

 

Coups    (5’ x  6’)  8 units @ RS6000/=

Wood frame with wire mesh and corrugated single pitch zinc roof     RS      48,000/

Chicks 160 @ RS49/=                                                                           RS       7,840/

Small Drinkers 1litre 16 @ RS 55/=                                                     RS          880/

Large Drinkers 4 litre 16 @ RS140/=                                                   RS       2,240/

Feeders 3kg 16 @ RS165/=                                                                   RS       2,640/

Feed

Starter 40kg per unit x 8 @RS42/= per kg   (day 01 to day 24)            RS     13,440/

Finisher 40kg per unit x  8 @RS40.4/= per kg (day 25 to day 44)       RS      12,928/

Vaccines including supply and application by the Vet                          RS       1,920/

 

 

 

 

Layers

 

Coups    (5’ x 7’) 8 units @ RS 7000/=

Wood frame with wire mesh and double pitch corrugated zinc roof     RS    56,000/

Chicks 160 @ RS60                                                                               RS      9,600/

Small drinkers 1litre 8 @ RS55/=                                                          RS         440/

Large Drinkers 4 litre  8 @ RS140/=                                                     RS      1,120/

Large Feeder 3kg 8 @ RS165/=                                                             RS      1,320/

Feed

Chick mash 40kg per unit x 8 @RS42/= per kg (wk 0 to wk 8)            RS     13,440/

Grower mash 105kg per unit x 8 @RS62.16 per kg (wk 9 to wk 18)    RS     52,214/

Layer mash 66kg per unit x 8 @ RS55 per kg (wk 19 to wk 22)           RS     29,040/

Vaccines                                                                                                  RS       2,400/

 

General

Delivery of coups to individual sites                                                       RS      4,000/

Provisional amount for disease outbreak medicines                                RS      3,000/

Good husbandry training for recipients by Dr                                         RS       0000/                                                    

                                                                                                                  ----------------

Total                                                                                                         RS   252,462/

 

 

 

RECIPIENTS

 

  1. N Valarmathy – Aged 25, still studying, brother 23 working part time labourer. Both parents killed in the tsunami Minimal income to support both of them. Lost all belongings and home to the tsunami. Helped parents with chickens.
  2.  S Kanagasuriam – Aged early 50s, husband alive, lost all belongings and home to tsunami. Had 14 chickens before tsunami
  3. K Sugandhini. Aged 19, parents separated before tsunami, mother and sister killed in Tsunami. Had 90 chickens- lost to the tsunami. Father lives with new wife in Navallady.
  4. A Viknesvari – Aged 32, lost all possessions and home to tsunami, 2 sons studying, husband unemployed. No substantial aid received as both husband and wife alive.Has done chicken farming before.
  5. J Santhakumari – Aged 40s, lost sister, mother, daughter to the tsunami, 1 son and 1 daughter schooling, husband work as fisherman but has no boat. Has previous chicken experience.
  6. S Nalasunderi – Aged 30s, lost both parents, daughter and house to tsunami, Had 85 laying chickens before tsunami. 2 sons are studying.
  7. K Saravanantheni – Aged 40s, lost all belongings, house, cows and chickens to tsunami. Husband fisherman, has not received help from agencies. Looks after old aged uncle. Has experience with layers.
  8. K Pakayam – Aged 60s Has husband and daughter but has problem walking. Lost all belongings and home to tsunami.

 

 

 

 

 TIMELINES

 

 

7 August 2005                                           1PM

 

Delivery of coups, feeders, drinkers and feed commences.

25kg Layer starter, 40kg Broiler starter

 

9 August 2005                                           10AM

 

Arrival of Layer and Broiler chicks from Colombo and distribution of chicks to recipients.

 

12 September 2005                                    10AM

 

Delivery of broiler finisher feed

Delivery of 2nd batch of layer chick mash feed (15kg)

 

25 September 2005

 

Broilers ready for sale

 

2 October 2005                                           10AM

 

Delivery of 1st batch of grower mash for layers (4 weeks supply = 50 kg)

 

30 October 2005                                         10AM

 

Delivery of 2nd batch of layers grower mash (5 weeks supply = 55kg)

 

25 November 2005                                     10AM

 

Delivery of Layers mash (1 months supply = 66kg)

 

20 December 2005

 

Layers should start laying eggs.

 

 

 

NOTE

 

The time lines and costs may vary slightly due to the unreliable nature of suppliers.

 

 

 

We also disbursed the following funds

 

  1. Kanavathypillai Pavalam – Lady aged 60s who lost all her children and husband to the tsunami and currently looking after her sisters daughter. Needs corrective surgery to restore her eyesight. Has visited eye specialist. Surgery to be carried out in Kandy. Cost of surgery Approx RS20, 000. Costs of travelling 2 with a relative, 2 times to Kandy as surgery will take place on one eye at a time, medicines etc approx RS10,000. She was given RS30,000.

 

  1. Joganesa Thangarajah. Aged 40s, lost husband, home. Was living in Navallady until 3 weeks ago when daughter gave birth. Helps daughter with baby and now lives with daughter in Sahira College but intends to return to Navallady. Meets all the criteria set for pilot scheme but as not able to look after the chicken at this point in time, it was decided that we gave her RS20,000 to start chicken rearing when she moves back to Navallady.