Prayagraj: A young man from Pratapgarh, Chandra Shekhar, has established himself as a prominent poultry entrepreneur, creating a unique identity through his venture. What began as a modest egg production unit with an investment of just Rs 10,000 has grown into a sprawling broiler parent stock facility worth Rs 3.5 crore.
Recognition and Expansion
Shekhar was honored for his outstanding contributions at the Uttar Pradesh Poultry Conclave-2026, organized at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow. Initially set up with financial support from the UP Animal Husbandry Department, the enterprise has since expanded into a network of over a thousand farmers. The initiative has not only provided them with a steady supplementary income but also generated employment opportunities.
From Adversity to Achievement
Chandra Shekhar, a resident of Bhawalpur gram panchayat in Pratapgarh district, launched a white-egg production unit with an initial investment of just Rs 10,000. However, a devastating cyclone struck, reducing his entire unit to rubble. Undeterred, and after consulting with various entrepreneurs and experts in the poultry sector, Shekhar acquired land in Sariyapur Shahpur village in Pratapgarh with the help of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department. In October 2024, he set up a 10,000-bird Broiler Parent Stock Unit, an enterprise that has since grown into a business worth Rs 3.5 crore. His unit now supplies 1.5 lakh high-quality chicks every month to farmers across Pratapgarh and surrounding regions, resulting in a steady increase in the incomes of local farmers and poultry rearers.
Policy Support and Impact
Shekhar attributes this success to the effective implementation of the Uttar Pradesh Poultry Development Policy–2022, claiming that the support he received through this policy made his achievement possible. Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of Pratapgarh, Dr Pradeep Kumar, explains that under the National Livestock Mission scheme—and with the support of the department—Chandra Shekhar set up a unit worth Rs 2.90 crore, marking the first such facility in the district. Of this total, he personally invested Rs 90 lakh, while the remaining funds were provided as assistance by the department. Shekhar has not only provided direct and indirect employment to over 1,200 people in the district but also continues to provide training to many youths.
Currently, there are 37 operational broiler parent stock units across Uttar Pradesh. Among these, a 10,000-bird capacity broiler parent stock unit was set up by Chandra Shekhar of Pratapgarh, who has successfully integrated farmers and unemployed youth into this enterprise.
