HYDERABAD: Poultry industry in India is charting a trajectory of positive growth, thanks to steps the Government of India is taking to ensure the vibrant sector doubles production and thus significantly increases incomes for farmers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged everyone to put their hearts and minds to double production in the dairy, fisheries and poultry sectors which has resulted in the Commerce and Industry ministry finalising a policy to double farmers’ income by creating economic opportunities for farmers and rural youths through implementing projects and entrepreneurship programmes.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is pushing forward programmes to enhance a strong and dynamic food processing sector that plays a vital role reducing wastage of perishable produce, enhancing shelf life of food products, diversification & commercialisation of agriculture and creating surplus for the export of agro & processed foods, among others.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare have also avowed to help women play multi-dimensional roles in poultry farming, among others. Women are involved in 48 percent agriculture-related employment whereas 7.5 crore women are playing a significant role in milk production and livestock management. The Ministry’s aim is to ensure women contribute effectively in production and productivity, get better livelihood opportunities, to build their abilities and to increase their access to input technology.
“This is in sync with the beliefs Poultry India holds dear,” said Harish Garware, President, Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (IPEMA), organisers of the 12th Poultry India Expo (November 28-29-30) and Knowledge Day Technical Seminar (November 27) at HITEC City Hyderabad.
“The poultry industry is extremely happy at the way the Government is progressing because it clearly demonstrates the sector’s best practices and international standards to produce world class poultry meat and eggs has been welcomed by Union and State Governments. Poultry farming in India is a culmination of many years of innovation and ingenuity in the face of tough circumstances. Today the industry, with its enabling of low cost model with increased productivity, is a showcase of success like few, across the world.
“Also, thanks to these welcome Government initiatives, India will greatly reduce the incidence of protein deficiency that is rampant in our country. As we are aware India is protein deficient. More than 70 percent population do not receive the required protein measure of 1gm of protein for every kilogram of bodyweight),” Mr Garware added.
There are newer challenges emerging, which need to be proactively responded for Poultry sector to grow further and contribute towards the national food and nutritional security. Many industry watchers however believe India’s poultry players have the potential to give tough competition to major poultry-producing countries if the input costs were contained.
Rising incomes, emergence of integrated production systems, technological development, contract growing, marketing activities have been major planks for the transformation of the sector.
India’s broiler production for 2018 is projected to increase by 7.5 percent to over 4.9 million tons. Demand for processed chicken meat is projected to grow between 15 to 20 percent every year. Layer production for 2018 is forecast at 84 billion eggs, up 5 percent from 2017. Poultry industry is estimated at over Rs.90,000 Crores and is one of the prime industries focusing on food and nutritional security of the nation.
Poultry India Expo – The biggest in South Asia – has attracted a record 325 major companies from India and abroad and is expected to draw over 30,000 business visitors across 5 exhibition halls at the HITEC venue which is become the pride of the City of Hyderabad.
The main aim of this Exhibition is to help keep abreast of latest developments and practices in poultry management, poultry health & nutrition, poultry breeding and new techniques in feed manufacturing and poultry production.
Poultry farmers, breeding companies, integrators and animal health nutritionist can see the progress of their peers and review the usefulness of such procedures and practices for their national and international poultry productions.
A day prior to the Expo, Knowledge Day – the technical seminar that shed light on various factors that beset the Indian poultry industry – commenced. More than 1100 delegates from India, South Asia and South East Asia have confirmed attendance at the event, making it the biggest ever in its 12 year history!
Knowledge Day is dedicated to bringing about a change in the way farmers further the poultry sector. Some of the world’s finest minds speak on the science of poultry and latest innovations in the fields of breeding, hygiene, nutrition, animal health, poultry equipment and branding.
Poultry India uses funds accrued from this annual Expo to promote a Protein Campaign so that the nation eradicates rampant protein deficiency. This campaign which is lauded by the Central and State Governments also increases demand for eggs and chicken. Poultry India helps millions of semi-skilled and unskilled find employment in this sector thus generating rural employment programmes, especially for women.
