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The poultry industry is poised to be a growth driver and will accomplish great strides as we look to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, climate action, ecosystem management – and pave the way towards a better future for the industry, societies and the planet. 

The sector in India has undergone a paradigm shift in structure and operation during the last two decades. It has transformed itself from a mere backyard activity into a major commercial activity with the entry of key food processing companies and implementation of contract poultry farming. The sector plays an important role in India as it not only provides food for human consumption, but also contributes towards sustainable livestock development and livelihood security for millions of men and women from villages across the country.

The ongoing changes in lifestyles in general and eating habits and growing inclination towards low fat high protein diet, the Indian poultry industry is ready for a remarkable growth. 

Increasing penetration of quick service restaurants, fast urbanization, changing lifestyles with preference towards convenient and nutritious food and higher purchase power will all lead to the domestic growth of the country’s poultry sector. Also, the maintenance of food safety at all stages of production, processing, packing, storage and marketing of poultry meat and meat-derived products, while adhering to the standards prescribed by the importing countries, shall make a significant impact in the global market.

The data indicates that poultry is one of the fastest growing segments of the agricultural sector in India today, with the production of eggs and broilers rising at a rate of 8-10% per annum. As a result, India is now the world’s fifth largest egg producer and the eighteenth largest producer of broilers. Currently, the total poultry population in India is 851.81 million (as per 20th livestock census) and the egg production stood at 114.38 billion during 2019-20. During the same period, the per capita availability was at 86 eggs per annum, with the egg production showing growth at 10.49%.

Besides catering to the domestic market, the country has exported 2,55,686.92 MT of poultry products worth 58.70 USD million during the year 2020-21, with major export destinations being Oman, Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam Soc Rep. In terms of export, major items exported from India are table eggs, egg powder, hatching eggs, SPF eggs, live birds and poultry meat. 

To tap the full potential of the sector, it is critical to mitigate the challenges such as disease outbreaks, shortage of skilled manpower (veterinarian, researchers, farm managers, etc.), increase in the use of antibiotics, lack of comprehensive regulatory authority to maintain hygiene, biosecurity, licenses to businesses, feed price fluctuation etc.

Empowerment of the village communities can play a big role in establishing the foundation for a village-based farmer and help in farmer livestock extension mechanism, incorporating the interconnection of the animals’ health, welfare and immunity. This will lead to better disease control, high production, increased product quality and reasonable production costs, establishing a cost competitive farming system and creating a positive impact on the entire supply chain’s cost economics.  

With strategic focus on technology deployment across the supply chain, right from hatchery management to feed innovation to disease surveillance to traceability to handling automation to value addition, the sector is bound to grow in leaps and folds. 

To deliberate on the key drivers and challenges in the sector and devise new ways to create a sustainable and economically viable poultry sector, CII is organizing a conference on Poultry & Poultry Products on 21st March 2022.

To participate in the event, register at: https://bit.ly/3wdELS5

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