Madhya Pradesh’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra says Kadaknath chicken boosts immunity — should be included in diet for post-COVID recovery

Krishi Vigyan Kendra from Jhabua district in MP writes to ICMR to recommend Kadaknath chicken, with its essential nutrients, high protein and low fat, to patients recovering from the coronavirus

Divendra Singh
| Updated: July 13th, 2021

The Kadaknath chicken provides high quality protein without high amounts of fat.

In a letter to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh, has written that the nutritional content of the Kadaknath chicken makes it an ideal inclusion in the diet of post-COVID patients.

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The black coloured Kadaknath chicken is native to tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh and is renowned for its high nutritional value.

“Nutritional therapy is the first line of treatment for post COVID-19 patients, and optimum intake of nutrients, mainly those crucial to the immune system, should be given through diverse and well-balanced diets,” read the letter signed by the head of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Jhabua.

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The black coloured Kadaknath chicken is native to tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh and is renowned for its high nutritional value.

The letter also recommended that, along with Kadaknath meat of the chicken, its eggs and other extracts be prescribed for post COVID-19 patients.  They contain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – an omega-3 fatty acid, Zinc, Iron, Vitamin-C and essential amino acids and other nutrients. These help build immunity, the letter suggested.  

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Packed with nutrients

The Kadaknath chicken provides high quality protein without high amounts of fat, Chandan Kumar, a scientist from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, told Gaon Connection. It is a better option than the regular broiler chicken, he added.  

According to Chandan Kumar, soup made with Kadaknath chicken is rich in Vitamin C, Zinc and Iron. “These are immunity boosters and can help a COVID 19 patient recover from the long term effects of the virus,” he said.

“Kadaknath chicken was earlier only reared in Jhabua, but it is getting more popular with other poultry farmers across the country. It has a lot of health benefits,” IS Tomar, a senior scientist and head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jhabua, told Gaon Connection.  

According to Tomar, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has also shown interest and it is likely that it will consider exporting the Kadaknath chicken to other countries soon.