Backyard poultry farming has been recognized as an effective tool for poverty alleviation in the rural families of Punjab. The level of monthly income from backyard poultry is sufficient for livelihood (20-25 birds) and an important source of supplementing earnings. It provides eggs and meat for family consumption and to some extent cash income to the family. It enhances rural livelihoods with minimum expenditure and stimulates economic growth of resource poor households in rural areas. This study was undertaken under ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) project by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda by introducing low input technology i.e. backyard poultry farming for small and marginal farmers. Poultry birds of breed RIR were provided to farmers. The performance of birds reared under backyard production system was quite satisfactory. The backyard poultry farming generated subsistence income and provided valuable foods that improved household nutrition.

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