Sharmili Mallick

Sonepur: Hard work and perseverance seem to have paid off for Rajesh Pradhan, a poultry farmer from Naikenpali village under Dunguripali block of Sonepur district. Rajesh who once worked as a daily wage labourer outside the State, has now become a successful entrepreneur with a monthly income that runs into five digits.

Rajesh, who was struggling to arrange two square meals for his family seven years back, has now employed five other people of his village in his enterprise.

The young entrepreneur attributes his success to the sale of Kadaknath chicken, a native breed of chicken famous for its distinct black meat and skin and is known for its nutritional value.

"Many youths in our State leave their homes and migrate outside the state as there are not job opportunities here. I was also one of them. However, I realised that with the meagre income, I could never support my family. Therefore I decided to come back to village and started the poultry farm," narrated Rajesh.

Initially, Rajesh took a small loan and started rearing only 50 Kadaknath chickens. Now, his firm has around 3500-4000 of the black poultry. The chicken is sold between Rs 700 and Rs 1000 per Kg the meat is said to be beneficial for people having heart ailments or diabetes.

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Rajesh claimed that he earns around Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh per month from this poultry farm. Along with Kadaknath, Rajesh is also rearing broiler and country chickens. Besides, he has also started fish farming.

"I was working as a migrant labourer. Rajesh offered me a job in the farm and I agreed. Four of my fellow villagers also work here," said a worker at Rajesh's poultry farm, Achyuta Rout.

"Rajesh is self-reliant and has set example for other youngsters in the village. He is truly an inspiration for others," said local tehsildar, Jugal Kishore Biswal.

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