MS Dhoni receives a consignment of 2000 'Kadaknath' chicks at his farmhouse in Ranchi

A regional cooperative in Madhya Pradesh has delivered 2,000 chicks of the renowned protein-rich ‘Kadaknath’ breed to a farm in Ranchi, Jharkhand, in accordance with an order from former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. After a legal dispute with Chhattisgarh, the black Kadaknath chicken meat from the Jhabua region of MP was given the Geographical Indication (GI) label in 2018.

The tag identifies the product as being from a certain locale and frequently adds to its economic worth. The price of this chicken, its eggs, and its meat is more than that of other breeds. According to Jhabua Collector Somesh Mishra, Dhoni purchased 2,000 ‘Kadaknath’ chicks from a regional cooperative on Friday and had them delivered in a truck to Ranchi, his hometown.

“It is a welcome step that a popular personality like Dhoni has shown interest in the Kadaknath chicken variety. Anyone can order these hatchlings through the online mode, which will benefit tribal people (breeding this chicken) in the district,” Mishra was quoted saying by Tribune.

Dhoni had placed the order long back, but was delayed due to the outbreak of bird flu

Dr IS Tomar of Jhabua’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra informed that the order was placed a while ago by Dhoni, but could not be fulfilled due to the rising cases of bird flu. The order was received by Vinod Meda who leads the organization in Jhabua’s Rundipada hamlet that produces Kadaknath.

According to Meda, a facility for raising chicks has been established at Dhoni’s farmhouse, and thus the people from the management have urged him to assure safe delivery of the 2,000 chicks. He further stated that he will gift the former India skipper a traditional bow and arrow as a symbol of Jhabua’s indigenous culture.

Meda said that the MP government, in 2018, had introduced a Kadaknath application, allowing individuals to order chicks through the internet. A one-day old hatchling is priced at around ₹75, whereas a 15-day old hatchling and a 28-day old hatchling are priced at ₹90 and ₹120 respectively. MS Dhoni is currently a part of the Indian Premier League 2022 playing for the four-time and defending champions Chennai Super Kings.