Farming Black Kadaknath brings cheers to Odisha families in dark COVID 19 times

Farming Black Kadaknath brings cheers to Odisha families in dark COVID 19 times

Subject : Economy

Context : The Kadaknath, the black, protein-rich breed of chicken from Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, is changing lives of people in Odisha for the better in these dark days of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The fear of COVID-19 has made many in the state eat the meat of Kadaknath to increase their immunity.

Concept :

Kadaknath chicken

• Kadaknath chicken breed is unique for its black colour due to its black-feathers.
• Its black colour stems from the deposition of melanin pigment.
• This breed of chicken is popular for its adaptability and flavourful good-tasting black meat, which is believed to have medicinal properties.
• It is native tribal districts of Jhabua, Alirajpur and parts of Dhar in Madhya Pradesh.
• Kadaknath chicken contains 25-27% of protein in comparison with other breeds of chickens that contain 18% protein.
• It is also known for its high iron content.
• It has fat and cholesterol content lower compared with other chicken breeds.
• Due to this special characteristics, Kadaknath chicken’s chicks and eggs are sold at much higher rate than other varieties of chicken.
• This chicken breed is very popular among local tribal people mainly due to its adaptability to the local environment, disease resistance, meat quality, texture and flavour.
• It has been granted GI tag. The GI tag will ensure that no one else can use name Kadaknath Chicken while selling any other black chicken.