The poultry farm in Duenchukha Lower Secondary School in Samtse is doing well. It has been started seven months ago at a cost of Nu 375,000 to enhance nutrition in the school meals.
The school has around 350 students, of which 142 are boarding students.
Earlier, the school had a difficult time providing the eggs for the students. But now with poultry farm in the school, it is not an issue. There are close to 300 birds which lay about 280 eggs in a day.
The students are provided with eggs every week.
“One of the main reasons for starting the farm is to fulfil the education ministry’s mandate to provide three eggs to each student every week. Currently, we at least to provide two eggs for each student,” Tashi Tshering, the school principal, said.
The school also sells the remaining eggs to make some income for the sustainability of the farm and the school’s development fund.
“The school is planning to help the students from disadvantaged families from the cash we get from the eggs,” Tashi Tshering said.
The schools earn an average of over Nu 10,000 from eggs. The eggs were earlier supplied to Dorokha Central School but now most of the buyers are the vegetable vendors.
The initiative is also aimed for the students to take interest in farming. The farm was opened with support from the Gewog Office and the community.
Meanwhile, the school says their main challenge remains in transporting the feeds to the school. Duenchukha LSS is located 100 kilometres away from Samtse town.
