In the fourth edition of Global Talks, I had the opportunity to engage in in-depth and thought-provoking discussions with Mr. Xavier Cadiou, Founder and Managing Director of Agri Réseaux International (ARI). The discussions offered valuable insights into global agribusiness development, international market intelligence, and strategic expansion opportunities for companies operating across the poultry and allied livestock sectors. Mr. Cadiou shared his extensive experience in supporting French and international agribusiness firms through detailed market studies, on-ground intelligence, and tailored business development strategies across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He also spoke about his role as the French agent for VIV trade shows, highlighting how these global platforms are shaping international collaboration, technology exchange, and market access. The conversation further explored emerging opportunities in high-growth regions such as India and Africa, as well as the evolving challenges companies face in transitioning from traditional export models to localized production and long-term market presence.

Ricky Thaper: You are the founder of Agri Réseaux International. Could you introduce your organization and its main activities?
Xavier Cadiou: After studying at the École Supérieure d’Agriculture in Angers and spending nearly twenty years advising and supporting companies in international markets, I decided in 2016 to create a private structure based on a unique model. Agri Réseaux International (ARI) is dedicated to supporting and developing French and international companies in the agricultural sector—particularly those involved in animal nutrition across global markets. To achieve this, I produce in-depth market studies by geographical area for the animal nutrition, animal health, hygiene, equipment, and genetics sectors. I travel extensively, across all continents, to meet local stakeholders, and I also rely on a network of around fifty local experts who are well integrated into professional ecosystems (veterinarians, nutritionists, agronomists, etc.). I began working in East Africa ten years ago.

Since then, I have completed 50 market studies covering 36 countries in Africa, 11 in the Middle East, and three in Asia. These studies are regularly updated, and new countries are added each year. I am currently finalizing a first study on India. The objective of these documents is to provide concrete, actionable data to support market development abroad: mapping of key stakeholders (local associations, distributors, producers, feed manufacturers, integrators, importers) along with their contact details; key market indicators (types of livestock systems, feed volumes, raw material prices, etc.); and comprehensive market analyses enriched by field insights and feedback. In addition, I offer tailor-made services such as action plans, partner searches, commercial representation, and B2B roadshows.

Ricky Thaper: These market studies are now available online?
Xavier Cadiou: Yes, indeed. In early March 2025, I launched ARI Online, a platform providing online access to all 50 market studies. It is available through three subscription options:
– a one-year subscription with unlimited access to all existing studies;
– a two-year subscription including access to studies and their regular updates;
– and a three-year subscription that also includes new country studies and, most importantly, personalized alerts on business opportunities based on sectors of interest (equipment, animal health, animal nutrition, etc.). Today, my priority is to grow subscriptions in order to strengthen the visibility and long-term sustainability of the project. This development is supported by the recruitment of my daughter, Ms. Noémie, who is now in charge of communication and event management (trade fairs, conferences, and seminars in France and abroad). According to Mr. Cadiou, these ARI Online market studies are perfect for Indian companies involved in Animal Health and Nutrition and wanting to enter African markets.

Ricky Thaper: Since May 2023, you have also been the French agent for VIV trade shows. What does this role involve?
Xavier Cadiou: It is a role that combines commercial, strategic, and advisory dimensions and is highly complementary to ARI’s activities. In practical terms, it involves promoting VIV trade shows (Asia, China, Africa, Europe) to French companies.Today, these exhibitions are fully booked well in advance—there are no more last-minute opportunities. The rebooking process can even begin within two months after an event, which can be challenging for some companies. My role is to support and advise them: what benefits they can expect from participating, what market realities they will encounter, and whether the investment makes sense.

I rely on my in-depth knowledge of countries (via ARI Online) and local stakeholders (through our network) to provide targeted guidance. The goal is not to sell dreams, but to offer concrete, realistic perspectives. I work closely with various partners to enhance the visibility of French companies at these strategic events. In 2023, 70 French companies participated in VIV Asia in Bangkok. Next year, VIV Europe in Utrecht will celebrate its 40th anniversary. There will also be a major new development: VIV Select India trade show will be organized in India for the first time, in April 2026. Around ten French companies have already confirmed their participation.

Agri Réseaux International (ARI) is dedicated to supporting and developing French and international companies in the agricultural sector—particularly those involved in animal nutrition across global markets. 

– Xavier Cadiou

Ricky Thaper: Which regions of the world are currently the most dynamic?
Xavier Cadiou: The international context— political instability in Africa, uncertainty in Russia, customs duties in the United States encourages companies to look for new opportunities. In this context, India appears particularly attractive today. India is a continental-scale country and the most populous in the world, with 1.43 billion inhabitants. It will continue to grow, move upmarket, and inevitably generate opportunities, especially as animal protein consumption is increasing rapidly. I recently visited India to tour feed mills and hatcheries and better understand local trends. European equipment is already present in Indian factories.

The country has changed tremendously and raises many questions. Agricultural systems are highly efficient: not a single square meter is wasted. Two major questions arise: will India eventually close its borders to ensure food security while continuing to increase animal protein production? And will the country be able to produce enough without opening its agriculture to GMOs, which are currently banned from local production?

The other key region is Africa. We are witnessing modern development in the poultry sector. A fundamental question remains: how will Africa produce its animal protein tomorrow? And who will drive this development—local African companies expanding into neighbouring countries (such as Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Mauritius, South Africa), or foreign groups (from the USA, India, the Netherlands), or even sovereign wealth funds?

Events such as VIV Africa demonstrate that there are companies on the continent with real expertise. This makes the outlook particularly promising. Significant investment will take place in this region, and commercial projects are already emerging in Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Rwanda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and of course Senegal. This is a region of great interest and one that deserves close attention.

India will continue to grow, move upmarket, and inevitably generate opportunities, especially as animal protein consumption is increasing rapidly. I recently visited India to tour feed mills and hatcheries and better understand local trends.

– Xavier Cadiou

Ricky Thaper: In your opinion, what are the main obstacles to export for French companies?
Xavier Cadiou: French companies often talk about exporting, but not necessarily about local establishment. It is not a priority; most remain within a traditional export model. Yet, to succeed in increasingly mature markets, companies will need to become true local production players. It is now essential to consider a physical and industrial presence on the ground in the near future. Markets will develop with either independent local private players or foreign actors who acquire production assets. In Africa, for example, American companies have acquired major milling groups. They now control commodity transport and port-based factories. There are real opportunities ahead, but companies must not remain on the side lines.

Abstract
Over the past several decades, India’s poultry industry has transformed from traditional backyard rearing dominated by small-holders to a highly commercialized, vertically integrated, large-scale industrial sector. This metamorphosis has propelled India into the ranks of global leaders—particularly in egg production—and has reshaped domestic food security, nutrition profiles, rural livelihoods, and export potential. This paper traces the historical evolution, charts recent growth and statistical milestones, analyses the key drivers, assesses socio-economic and nutritional impacts, discusses challenges, and outlines future opportunities. Despite structural constraints — notably feed-cost pressures, infrastructure gaps, and export competitiveness — the scale and dynamism of India’s poultry sector position it as a potential global game changer.

1. Introduction
The poultry sector in India has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past few decades. Once dominated by small backyard flocks used for household consumption, today it constitutes one of the most dynamic, fast-growing segments of India’s agricultural and livestock economy. The shift toward commercial-scale, vertically integrated poultry farming has enabled unprecedented growth in egg and meat production, improved accessibility of affordable protein, triggered export growth, and provided livelihoods to millions.

2. Historical Background and Structural Transition
2.1 Traditional Poultry Practices
Traditionally, poultry farming in India was characterized by backyard rearing — small flocks of indigenous birds managed by rural households, primarily for eggs and occasional meat consumption. These birds lay far fewer eggs compared to modern commercial breeds; typical indigenous hens would produce perhaps 60–80 eggs per year. This model, while suiting subsistence and household needs, offered limited scale, low efficiency, and negligible surplus for commercial sale or export. As a result, India’s poultry sector remained underdeveloped for long, especially when compared to large-scale poultry industries in Western countries.

2.2 Emergence of Commercial & Hybrid Poultry Farming
The transformation began with gradual adoption of improved and hybrid poultry breeds, combined with investments in hatcheries, feed mills, broiler farms, processing units, and cold-chain infrastructure. Modern hybrid layer birds now produce significantly more eggs, and broiler breeds grow to market weight in just 35–42 days — a far cry from the slower growth rates of traditional birds.
Technological advances in breeding, feed formulation, veterinary care, and disease management made poultry farming more efficient, reliable, and profitable. Small-scale poultry rearing began to give way to commercial and vertically integrated operations, wherein a single enterprise manages parent stock, hatcheries, feed supply, rearing, processing, and distribution. This structural shift laid the foundation for rapid scaling up of production, improved quality, and the capability to meet urban and rural demand, as well as to explore export markets.

2.3 Integration into the Livestock Value Chain
Over time, poultry became part of a broader livestock value-chain, along with dairy, meat, fisheries, etc. According to an industry review, the livestock sector — including poultry — has seen a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.9% between 2014–15 and 2020–21, and its contribution to total agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) rose from 24.3% to 30.1%. Thus, poultry moved from a peripheral, subsistence-level role to an integral, high-growth segment of India’s agricultural economy.

3. Scope and Scale of Growth: Recent Data & Trends

3.1 Egg Production: Unprecedented Scale
– According to the latest data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), total egg production in India during 2024–25 was 138.38 billion eggs.
– The most recent government data for 2024–25 reports 149.11 billion eggs, indicating continued growth.
– Of this, commercial poultry contributes the bulk: ~129.16 billion eggs from commercial farms, while ~20.11 billion come from backyard poultry — i.e., roughly 85.40% commercial and 14.60% backyard.
– The per capita availability of eggs in 2024–25 is estimated at 106 eggs/year.
These numbers indicate a massive scaling up of egg production — a cornerstone of India’s poultry revolution.
The distribution of production across states is concentrated: the top five egg-producing states in 2022–23 were Andhra Pradesh (≈ 20.13%), Tamil Nadu (≈ 15.58%), Telangana (≈ 12.77%), West Bengal (≈ 9.93%), and Karnataka (≈ 6.51%) — together accounting for about 65% of the national total.
This regional concentration reflects climatic, infrastructure, and industry-cluster advantages in southern and eastern India.

3.2 Poultry Meat & Broiler Production
While egg production often gets the spotlight, broiler-meat production has also witnessed rapid growth: broiler meat in India is estimated at around 5 million tonnes annually.
As per a recent government annual report (2024-25), per-capita meat availability (across all meats) rose — poultry’s growing share contributed significantly.
Moreover, the poultry feed industry — critical for meat and egg production — has expanded: poultry feed production was reported at 27 million metric tons per year (as of 2022), supporting the massive poultry stock and enabling economies of scale.

3.3 Economic Market Size and Forecasted Growth
– According to a 2025 market analysis by Expert Market Research (EMR), India’s poultry market was valued at USD 30.46 billion in 2024.
– The same analysis projects a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.1% during 2025–2034, with the market size expected to reach USD 66.37 billion by 2034.
– Government-published projections also show a growth trajectory, with increasing demand driven by urbanization, rising incomes, changing dietary habits, and organized retail/food-processing sectors. These economic data reflect that poultry is now not just a subsistence activity but a major agribusiness sector with significant economic value.

4. Drivers of the Poultry Boom
The rapid rise of poultry in India can be traced to a confluence of demographic, economic, technological, structural, and policy factors.

4.1 Rising Incomes, Urbanization, and Changing Dietary Patterns
India’s growing middle class, rising per-capita income, and increasing urbanization have driven dietary transitions. Eggs and chicken — as relatively affordable, high-quality animal proteins — have become more accessible and acceptable across economic classes.
As diets diversify, there is increasing demand from Tier II and Tier III cities, alongside traditional urban centres. The rising awareness regarding nutrition and protein deficiencies further fuels demand for poultry.

4.2 Commercialization & Vertical Integration
One of the most transformative structural changes is the emergence of vertically integrated poultry enterprises. These enterprises manage parent stock and grandparent stock, hatcheries, feed mills, broiler/layer farms, processing units (slaughterhouses, dressing plants), cold-chain logistics, and distribution networks.
Such integration facilitates economies of scale, reduces transaction and marketing costs, ensures biosecurity, standardizes quality, and enables efficient supply of eggs and meat — at prices affordable to consumers and margins viable for producers. Additionally, the shift in market preference — from live birds being sold locally to processed, dressed, chilled or frozen chicken, packaged eggs, egg-powder, and other value-added products — has accelerated formalization and industrialization of poultry value-chains.

4.3 Growth of Feed Industry, Input Supply & Technology
A robust feed industry underpins commercial poultry operations. Balanced feed — based on maize, soybean meal, etc. — ensures rapid growth, better productivity, and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). Advances in veterinary care and disease management further buttress productivity.
Simultaneously, investments in hatcheries, processing infrastructure, cold-chain logistics, meat-processing plants, egg-packing and grading units have created a viable ecosystem for large-scale production and distribution.
These developments mark a shift from fragmented, household-level poultry rearing to organized, industry-scale poultry farming.

4.4 Market Demand, Nutrition Awareness & Institutional Push
Growing awareness of protein deficiency and the nutritional benefits of eggs and lean meat has increased demand among Indian consumers. Poultry — being relatively more affordable than red meat and easier to integrate into diets — is increasingly preferred.
Furthermore, expanding organized retail chains, food-service industries, and fast-food outlets have increased demand for processed/chilled chicken and value-added egg/poultry products, providing a stable market for producers.
Government support — through enabling infrastructure, policies facilitating feed availability (corn, soy), support for processing units, and export promotion via the APEDA framework — has played a supportive role.

5. Socio-Economic and Nutritional Impacts

5.1 Food Security & Protein Access
India has long faced challenges of protein-energy malnutrition and inadequate intake of high-quality animal protein, especially among lower-income households. The dramatic rise in poultry — eggs and chicken — offers a scalable, affordable, and accessible solution to improve protein intake across a wide swath of the population.
With per-capita egg availability at ~106 eggs/year, and increasing meat availability, poultry contributes substantially to bridging the “protein gap.”
Eggs, in particular, represent one of the highest-quality proteins per rupee and are more affordable than most red meats, making them an effective vehicle for nutritional security, especially among economically weaker sections.

5.2 Livelihood Generation, Rural Employment, and Value-Chain Jobs
The poultry value-chain — from hatcheries, feed mills, poultry farms, processing plants, cold-chain logistics, transport, retail outlets — employs millions of people across urban, rural, and semi-urban India. The shift from subsistence-level backyard poultry to organized, commercial poultry creates diverse jobs beyond traditional crop agriculture.
Moreover, contract-farming models enable smallholders to participate in poultry production without bearing full risk. Under these models, integrators supply chicks, feed, veterinary care; farmers rear birds under supervision, and integrators buy back the produce. This ensures stable income for rural households and reduces production risk.
Thus, poultry acts as an engine for rural income diversification, reducing dependence on traditional agriculture and enhancing rural livelihoods.

5.3 Economic Contribution & Agriculture Diversification
As noted earlier, the livestock sector — dairy, meat, poultry, fisheries — has increased its share of agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) from ~24.3% to ~30.1% between 2014–15 and 2020–21, indicating rising economic significance.
The poultry segment, in particular, contributes significantly to this growth. The rising market valuation (USD 30.46 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 66.37 billion by 2034) underscores poultry’s importance in national agribusiness and food systems.
Thus, poultry provides a viable pathway for agricultural diversification beyond crop-based farming, offering resilience against crop failures, diversification of rural income sources, and buffer against agricultural uncertainties.

6. India’s Position in Global Poultry Landscape

6.1 Global Rankings in Egg and Meat Production
India is now among the top producers globally: according to APEDA, India ranks 2nd globally in total egg production.
On the meat front, India is among the leading producers of poultry meat worldwide; various sources place India among the top 5 globally in broiler meat production.
This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering India’s recent transition from traditional poultry rearing — underscoring how rapidly the industry has scaled.

6.2 Export Growth & Global Reach
According to APEDA data, in fiscal year 2023–24, India exported 1,275,234.90 metric tons of poultry products, valued at USD 184.58 million.
Major export destinations include Gulf and nearby countries such as Oman, Sri Lanka, Maldives, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar.
The growth of processing units — producing dressed chicken, frozen meat, egg powder, frozen egg-yolk, etc. — has facilitated exports, especially given rising global demand for affordable poultry protein.
According to market research, the availability of digitally integrated cold-chain logistics, temperature-monitored supply chains, and compliance with international standards are enabling Indian poultry producers to build trust among institutional buyers and global QSR chains.
These developments suggest that India is not only catering to domestic demand but is also increasingly competitive on the global poultry stage.

7. Challenges and Constraints
Despite its remarkable rise, India’s poultry sector faces several structural and external constraints that can hinder long-term sustainability and global competitiveness.
7.1 Feed Price Volatility and Input Cost Disadvantage
A major challenge lies in feed costs — especially maize (corn) and soybean meal, which form the bulk of poultry feed. Compared to many major poultry-exporting countries, feed price in India is significantly higher. For instance, industry officials report domestic corn costs at ₹23–25/kg versus ₹14/kg in competing countries; soybean meal is ~30% more expensive domestically.
Feed constitutes around 80–85% of total production cost in poultry farming, according to industry associations.
This cost disadvantage undercuts competitiveness in export markets where producers operate at lower feed costs, making poultry from India relatively costlier. Consequently, despite production scale, India may find it harder to compete globally on price.

7.2 Infrastructure Gaps: Processing, Cold Chain & Value Addition
While the number of poultry dressing plants and processing units has grown, large-scale, export-ready modern processing plants remain relatively limited. According to a 2024–25 report, only a small fraction of slaughterhouses and meat-processing plants are formally registered with export authorities.
Moreover, cold-chain infrastructure — essential for frozen chicken, chilled meat, egg-powder, and other value-added products — remains uneven across geographies. This hinders consistent supply, quality control, and scalability of exports.
Limited processing capacities, hygienic standard compliance, packaging, traceability, and cold-storage infrastructure collectively constrain India’s ability to fully exploit export potential and to realize value-added processing at scale.

7.3 Biosecurity, Disease Risk, and Regulatory Challenges
Large-scale poultry farming carries inherent disease risks — from avian influenza to other pathogens. Maintaining biosecurity, veterinary care, bird health monitoring, and adherence to sanitary standards is critical. However, regulatory enforcement, veterinary infrastructure, and disease surveillance remain patchy in many regions.
Inadequate disease control or outbreak events can lead to flock losses, supply disruptions, price volatility, and erosion of consumer confidence — domestically and internationally. This remains a systemic risk for large-scale poultry operations in India.

7.4 Domestic Consumption Economy vs Export Incentives
Although India is a large poultry producer, per-capita consumption remains relatively modest: per capita chicken consumption is estimated at only 6–7 kg per person per year; per capita egg consumption at ~106 eggs/year.
Given the enormous domestic market — with over 1.4 billion people — many industry players emphasise catering to internal demand rather than exports. As quoted in industry reports: “With such a vast domestic population and high protein-deficiency, why export?”
This dynamic sometimes conflicts with export-oriented ambitions, especially when input costs or global competition make exports less profitable.

7.5 Feed-Input Constraints & Agricultural Linkages
Poultry feed depends heavily on maize and soybean meal — both agricultural commodities subject to domestic production variability, input price volatility, and competition from other sectors (e.g., ethanol, livestock feed for dairy, etc.). Recent global and domestic trends — including policies favouring biofuel and ethanol production — can affect corn availability and price. Any sustained rise in feed costs directly impacts profitability, which in turn affects the scalability and sustainability of poultry operations. For India to remain competitive globally, securing low-cost, reliable feed supply — possibly through agricultural policy, supply chain efficiency, or alternative feed sources — is essential.

8. Opportunities: Why India Could Be a Global Game Changer
Despite the challenges, several structural and market advantages position India’s poultry sector to scale further — domestically and internationally — and potentially become a global “poultry powerhouse.”

8.1 Massive Domestic Market & Rising Protein Demand
India’s vast population — over 1.4 billion — continues to urbanize, with rising incomes and changing consumption patterns. Demand for high-quality, affordable protein (eggs, chicken) is likely to increase substantially in coming decades. If per-capita consumption trends rise — even if not to the global average — the sheer population base means demand volumes will be enormous. This offers massive growth potential for domestic poultry producers. With nutrition awareness growing and dietary preferences shifting, poultry (especially eggs and lean chicken meat) is poised to become a staple source of animal protein for many more Indians.

8.2 Scaling Exports — Value Addition, Processed Products & Cold-Chain Gains
India’s existing production scale, combined with expansion of processing capacity, cold-chain logistics, and compliance to international sanitary standards, can help build a robust export-oriented poultry infrastructure.
Processed products — frozen dressed chicken, cuts, egg powders, frozen egg-yolk, ready-to-cook chicken products — tested through cold-chain logistics and standard packaging, can meet demand in international markets, especially in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.
With disciplined investments in processing plants, hygiene standards, traceability, and supply-chain management, India can become a reliable supplier of low-cost poultry proteins — challenging traditional exporters.

8.3 Employment, Rural Development, and Agro-Industrial Linkages
Scaling poultry farming and allied value-chains (feed mills, hatcheries, processing, logistics, retail) can generate substantial employment across rural and semi-urban India. This helps diversify rural livelihoods, reduce dependence on crop agriculture, and provide stable income sources.
Moreover, development of allied industries — feed, veterinary, packaging, cold-storage, transport — can spur agro-industrial growth, infrastructure development, and rural entrepreneurship.

8.4 Nutrition Security & Public Health Benefits
Expanding poultry production — particularly eggs — can significantly improve access to affordable, high-quality protein and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) for millions of Indians. This can contribute to reducing undernutrition, improving child and maternal health, and enhancing overall public health outcomes.
Eggs — relatively cheap, nutrient-dense, and widely acceptable — can be a cornerstone for nutrition security programs, school feeding schemes, and basic food security for underprivileged populations.

8.5 Scope for Innovation: Breeding, Feed Alternatives, Value-Added Products
India’s poultry industry is still evolving; there remains considerable scope for innovation:
– Development of feed substitutes — to reduce dependence on maize/soybean, manage costs, and improve sustainability.
– Genetic improvements: breeding for disease-resistance, improved feed-conversion ratio (FCR), higher egg yield, faster growth.
– Value-added products: ready-to-cook chicken, processed meats, egg-based foods, frozen foods, packaged convenience foods.
– Export-oriented product lines: chilled/frozen chicken, processed eggs, egg powders — to serve export markets efficiently.
With innovation, India can leapfrog traditional production constraints and define a competitive advantage beyond just “low cost”.

9. Policy, Strategy and Institutional Implications
For India to realize the full potential of its poultry sector — domestically and globally — a multilayered strategy is needed, involving producers, industry stakeholders, government, and trade policy. Key policy/strategic implications:

1. Feed Security & Agricultural Policy Coordination
– Promote stable production of maize, soybean, and other feed inputs.
– Encourage alternative feed sources, research for cost-efficient feed, feed-substitutes.
– Consider trade or subsidy policies to manage feed costs, ensure affordability for poultry producers.
2. Infrastructure & Cold-Chain Development
– Invest in modern processing plants, meat-processing units, hygienic slaughterhouses.
– Expand cold-chain logistics, refrigerated transport, cold-storage — to support frozen meat and processed poultry export.
– Promote compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards to facilitate exports.
3. Support for Value-Addition & Export Diversification
– Encourage production of value-added poultry products (frozen meat, frozen egg products, ready-to-cook, packaged eggs).
– Incentivize export-oriented units, possibly through special economic zones, tax/ subsidy support, export facilitation, capacity-building.
4. Rural Livelihoods & Smallholder Inclusion
– Expand contract-farming models for smallholders to participate without high capital risk.
– Provide training, extension services, veterinary support to small-scale producers.
– Support backyard poultry schemes (especially in underserved regions) to enhance nutrition and livelihoods at grassroots.
5. Biosecurity, Animal Health & Regulatory Oversight
– Strengthen veterinary infrastructure, disease surveillance, vaccination, biosecurity protocols.
– Enforce hygiene, traceability, slaughterhouse standards to ensure food safety and export compliance.
6. Nutrition and Public Health Initiatives
– Incorporate eggs and poultry into national nutrition programs (school feeding, maternal health, child nutrition).
– Promote awareness of nutritional benefits of eggs and poultry among lower-income communities.
By aligning agricultural, trade, public health, and industrial policies — India can catalyse a “poultry-led transformation” that enhances food security, rural livelihoods, export earnings, and nutritional outcomes.

10. Critical Analysis & Risks Ahead
While the trajectory of Indian poultry is impressive, several critical risks and trade-offs deserve careful consideration.

10.1 Price and Input Volatility
As noted, feed costs — largely driven by maize/soybean prices — are a major vulnerability. Global commodity price fluctuations, domestic supply constraints, competition from other sectors (e.g., biofuel), and policy shifts can render feed expensive, eroding margins and pressuring prices.
This volatility may disincentivise producers, hinder scaling, or push up consumer prices — undermining affordability, nutritional access, and export competitiveness.

10.2 Infrastructure & Institutional Bottlenecks
Despite growth in processing and cold-chain capacity, much of India’s poultry still operates in fragmented, small-scale settings. Export-ready, large-scale processing infrastructure remains limited; regulatory compliance, traceability, hygiene standards, packaging — all need strengthening.
Inequities in infrastructure across states can lead to regional disparities, inefficiencies, and quality variations — which may hurt long-term competitiveness.

10.3 Disease Risk, Biosecurity, and Animal Welfare
Large-scale poultry farming increases the risk of disease outbreaks (e.g., avian influenza), which can have severe economic and public health impacts. Maintaining biosecurity, veterinary care, regular health monitoring, and outbreak preparedness is essential but challenging — especially in regions with limited veterinary infrastructure or poor compliance.

Additionally, large-scale industrial poultry farming may raise concerns about animal welfare, environmental impacts, waste management, and antibiotic use — all of which could invite public scrutiny and regulatory pressures.

10.4 Domestic Consumption Patterns & Cultural/ Dietary Constraints
Despite rising demand, per-capita consumption of eggs and poultry meat remains well below global averages. Cultural, religious, economic constraints, and dietary preferences (e.g., vegetarianism) in large segments of Indian population limit poultry consumption.
Moreover, price-sensitive consumers might substitute to cheaper proteins or plant-based diets if poultry prices rise, or if supply becomes unstable — reducing demand stability.

10.5 Export Competitiveness & Global Competition
India faces stiff competition from major poultry exporting countries (e.g., USA, Brazil, EU nations) with established supply chains, lower feed costs, advanced processing facilities, and established brand/trade relationships. Given the feed-cost disadvantage, infrastructural constraints, and regulatory complexities (sanitary standards, trade barriers) — competing in global markets at scale may be challenging. Therefore, India’s success internationally would depend not just on production volume, but on quality, value addition, logistics, compliance, cost management, and strategic trade policy.

11. Case Study / Illustrative Example: State-wise Dynamics & Regional Patterns
While nationwide data reflects aggregate success, the poultry boom in India is unevenly distributed, with certain states contributing disproportionately.
As per APEDA and recent government reports, the leading egg-producing states (2022–23) are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, and Karnataka — together contributing around 65% of the national egg output.
This concentration reflects a combination of favourable climate, established commercial poultry enterprises, better infrastructure (hatcheries, feed mills, processing plants), transport connectivity, and market access — particularly in southern and eastern India.
In contrast, many northern and central states remain under-represented in poultry output, due to factors such as climate (cold, variation in temperature), lesser infrastructure, underdevelopment of feed and processing industries, lower investments, and limited integration into commercial value-chains.
This uneven distribution has important implications: for achieving equitable growth, food-security across regions, and maximizing national potential, efforts are needed to expand poultry infrastructure and capacities beyond existing hubs — into under-served states and rural areas.
Moreover, encouraging smallholder inclusion via contract farming or backyard poultry schemes can help spread benefits more widely, especially in less-developed states.

12. Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations
Given the structural dynamics, market trends, and socio-economic context, the future of Indian poultry looks promising — provided certain strategic and policy measures are adopted. Below are key recommendations and outlook:
1. Promote Feed-Security & Cost Efficiency
– Invest in domestic maize/soybean production to ensure stable input supply.
– Research and promote alternative, cost-effective feed sources (e.g., agricultural by-products, insect-based proteins, sustainable feed substitutes).
– Introduce policy measures to stabilize feed prices (subsidies, buffer stocks, trade facilitation) to strengthen cost competitiveness.
2. Expand Processing, Cold-Chain, and Value-Added Capacities
– Encourage establishment of modern, export-ready processing plants and meat-processing units across more states.
– Build cold-chain logistics, storage infrastructure, refrigerated transport to support frozen meat and egg-product exports.
– Incentivize production of value-added products (frozen chicken cuts, frozen egg-powder, ready-to-cook chicken, processed meat) to cater to global markets and institutional buyers.
3. Support Smallholders & Inclusive Models
– Scale up contract-farming models to incorporate small farmers, reducing entry barriers, sharing risk, and ensuring supply stability.
– Provide extension services, veterinary support, training, access to credit/inputs for smallholders and backyard poultry farmers.
– Expand backyard-poultry and rural poultry schemes — especially in underserved states — to ensure nutrition security and rural income generation.
4. Strengthen Biosecurity, Animal Health & Regulatory Compliance
– Build veterinary infrastructure, disease surveillance systems, vaccination programs, and biosecurity protocols nationwide.
– Enforce hygiene, slaughterhouse standards, traceability, packaging and sanitary norms to meet domestic consumption and export requirements.
– Implement environmental and animal-welfare guidelines to ensure sustainability and ethical practices.
5. Facilitate Exports & International Competitiveness
– Use trade policy, export facilitation, and negotiated sanitary / phytosanitary (SPS) agreements to access new markets.
– Promote brand-building for “Made in India” poultry: emphasize quality, compliance, cost advantage.
– Encourage exports of processed poultry and egg products — which add more value than raw/fresh meat.
6. Promote Nutrition & Public Health through Poultry Products
– Integrate eggs and poultry into national nutrition and food-security programs (e.g., school meal schemes, maternal/child nutrition).
– Run awareness campaigns about the nutritional benefits of eggs and chicken.
– Encourage socially inclusive models (rural backyard poultry, low-cost egg supply) to reach low-income populations.
If executed, these strategies can help India not only sustain its rapid growth, but also emerge as a global supplier of affordable, high-quality poultry and egg products, while enhancing domestic nutrition and rural livelihoods.

13. Conclusion
The rise of Indian poultry — from small-scale backyard flocks to a large, organized, commercially viable industry — represents one of the most transformative developments in India’s agricultural and food landscape. The scale of egg and meat production, economic value, and socio-economic impact is unprecedented. India now ranks among the world’s top producers of eggs and poultry meat; domestic production volumes run into hundreds of billions of eggs and millions of tonnes of meat annually. The economic market is vast and growing; the value chain has formalized; demand — both domestic and potential global export — is substantial. At the same time, structural challenges — feed-cost disadvantages, infrastructure gaps, regulatory and biosecurity risks — remain real constraints. How India addresses these issues will determine whether its poultry sector merely remains a domestic success or becomes a global game changer. Nevertheless, given India’s demographic advantage, rising protein demand, improving infrastructure, institutional support, and potential for value-addition and exports — the poultry sector is well-positioned for further growth, impact, and global integration.
In essence, the rise of Indian poultry is not just an agricultural success story — it is a potential driver of nutritional security, rural development, economic growth, and global trade share. With strategic vision, policy support, and sustainable practices, India could transform poultry production into one of the key pillars of 21st-century agribusiness and food security — both nationally and globally.

In today’s poultry industry, two factors play a decisive role in ensuring profitable, sustainable, and disease-free production:

Water Treatment and Biosecurity.
Together, they safeguard flock health, enhance performance, and reduce dependence on antibiotics.

1. Water Treatment in Poultry
Water is often called the “forgotten nutrient,” yet it is the most critical element in poultry production. Birds consume twice as much water as feed, and any compromise in water quality directly impacts growth, egg production, and immunity.

Key Challenges in Water Quality
– Microbial contamination: Bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella spread through untreated water.
– Biofilm formation: Organic residues in pipelines harbor pathogens.
– Chemical impurities: High TDS, hardness, iron, or nitrates affect digestion and performance.
– pH imbalance: Acidic or alkaline water reduces feed intake. Water Treatment Practices
– Filtration to remove physical impurities.
– Acidification to maintain pH (5.5–6.5) and inhibit bacterial growth.
– Chlorination / Hydrogen Peroxide / Ozone for disinfection.
– Regular waterline flushing to prevent biofilm buildup.
– Monitoring TDS, hardness, and microbial load routinely.

2. Biosecurity in Poultry
Biosecurity means preventing disease entry and spread on the farm. With rising concerns about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the push toward antibiotic-free production, biosecurity has become more important than ever.

Three Levels of Biosecurity
1. Conceptual Biosecurity – Farm location, distance from other poultry units, controlled entry points.
2. Structural Biosecurity – Physical barriers, fencing, bird-proof sheds, water sanitation system.
3. Operational Biosecurity – Day-to-day practices like disinfection, vaccination, and visitor control.

Practical Biosecurity Measures
– Restrict farm access (only authorized persons allowed).
– Provide footbaths, hand sanitizers, and farm clothing.
– Disinfect vehicles, crates, and equipment before entry.
– Implement rodent and wild bird control programs.
– Maintain strict mortality disposal methods (incineration/composting).
– Regular vaccination and health monitoring.
– Keep detailed farm records for traceability.

3. Water Treatment + Biosecurity = Sustainable Poultry
While water treatment ensures internal health and performance, biosecurity provides external protection from infections. Both are complementary and essential.
– Clean water reduces gut-related diseases like colibacillosis and diarrhoea.
– Biosecurity reduces the risk of respiratory and viral infections.
– Together, they help in antibiotic-free poultry production, improve FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio), enhance bird welfare, and boost farmer profitability.

Water Quality Monitoring & Water-Borne Diseases in Poultry

Diagram shows that, the source of water we need to check, Ph, TDS, COLOUR, BACTERIA & VIRAL LOAD. This water will go to overhead tank & from there it will distribute to different Poultry shed tanks & through pipe & nipple it will available for birds, here we need to monitor the quality of water.

Importance of Water Sanitation in Poultry Production
In modern poultry production, the use of feed additives such as water and feed acidifiers, toxin binders, probiotics, and antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) is a common recommendation by poultry nutritionists. Farmers are also increasingly incorporating low-cost protein sources like Rice DDGS, Maize DDGS, and Meat Meal (sometimes adulterated with leather powder) to reduce feed costs.

However, ignoring water sanitation remains one of the most critical mistakes in poultry farming. Even with balanced feed formulation and additives, if the water provided to the birds is contaminated, it results in:
• Loose droppings due to microbial contamination.
• Poor nutrient absorption – birds fail to utilize protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins in the diet.
• Increased incidence of diseases such as E. coli infections and Salpingitis.
• Weakened immunity and consequently poor production performance.

In contrast, a farm with proper water sanitation shows remarkable differences. For example, in one of my ideally managed farms, the birds consistently showed dry droppings (“DRY BEAT”), a clear indicator of good gut health and proper nutrient absorption. This success was achieved through:
• Regular water sanitation practices (disinfection, acidification, and monitoring).
• Ensuring feed hygiene along with the use of safe, food-grade raw materials.
• Strict biosecurity and management protocols.

Safe Water Treatment – A Farmer’s Responsibility

Many farmers currently use different chemicals such as chlorine gas, bleaching powder, and sodium hypochlorite for water treatment. They are not safe for poultry or humans. These compounds often leave harmful residues, alter water taste, reduce consumption, and may even add toxic by-products into the water. According to WHO guidelines, only food and pharmaceutical grade salt should be used for drinking water treatment — both for humans and poultry. The safest and globally recommended option is NaDCC (Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate), which ensures:
• Broad spectrum disinfection with very effective bacterial control
• Safe for poultry & human consumption
• No significant change in taste or odour
• Eco-friendly & easy handling
• Stable and longer shelf life compared to other chlorine sources

Using sub-standard chemicals not only compromises poultry performance (loose droppings, poor nutrient absorption, higher
disease load, chlorine toxicity) but also risks human food safety through residues in meat and eggs.
Key Impact: Farmers must understand that safe water treatment is not about the cheapest chemical, but about using WHO- recommended, food & pharma grade NaDCC for long-term health, productivity, and profitability.

Note: Why NaDCC (Food & Pharma Grade) is Always Better.

Among all the available chlorine-base compounds for water sanitation, Food & Pharma grade Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) is the safest and most effective choice.

• WHO Recommended – Approved for safe drinking water treatment globally.
• Broad Spectrum Effectiveness – Provides strong and stable disinfection (48 hours’ stability).
• Safe for Birds & Humans – No harmful residues, no significant change in taste or odor.
• Eco-Friendly – No toxic by-products or sludge formation.
• Long Shelf Life – Up to 3 years, with easy effervescent tablet formulation.
• Ease of Use – Simple handling, no heavy cylinders or high manpower required.
• Therefore, NaDCC (Food & Pharma Grade) is always better than chlorine gas, bleaching powder, sodium hypochlorite, or halozone for ensuring Zero-Bacteria Water in poultry Farms.

Conclusion
In poultry management, prevention is always better than cure. Poultry farming success is not just about what we feed the birds, but also about the quality of water they drink every single day. Feed can be fortified, sheds can be modernized, but without clean water and strict sanitation, the full genetic potential of the flock can never be realized. Water is the simplest yet most powerful tool to secure healthy birds, higher productivity, and long-term profitability. Water treatment and biosecurity are not costs but investments that return multiple benefits in productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

The Soy Excellence Centres focus on training the global workforce engaged in the poultry, feed milling, aquaculture, dairy, and soy food sectors. Training holds a pivotal role in the real world across various domains and industries. It serves as the cornerstone for personal and professional development, ensuring that individuals stay competent and competitive in an ever-evolving landscape. The significance of training can be observed through its manifold benefits, ranging from enhancing skills and fostering growth to driving overall success.

Goals of the Soy Excellence Center, India
The India SEC Program embodies the global vision crafted by the U.S. Soy Industry, translating this philosophy into impactful action with the help of regional experts in India and the members of the SEC’s Regional Advisory Council. With clear objectives and a strategic focus, the program aims to:

a) Empower Future Leaders: Cultivate a new generation of problem-solvers who will emerge and engage as good leaders in this crucial market.

b) Elevate Professional Skills: Shape the next wave of young professionals, equipping them with the expertise to become efficient and visionary managers of tomorrow.

c) Strengthen Enterprise Capacity: Build the operational strength of companies within the protein value chain, driving demand for high-quality raw materials and innovative technologies, which will boost the market demand for soy and feed.

d) Fuel Industry Growth: By achieving these milestones, the program will drive sustained growth in India’s protein industries, ultimately opening new doors for U.S. Soy market access in the region.

At the SECs, we thought deeply on 8 key outcomes that can emerge from good training programs. Here is an account describing those eight areas.

Enhancing Skills and Competencies
One of the primary advantages of training is the enhancement of skills and competencies. In an era where technology and methodologies are constantly advancing, staying updated is crucial. Training programs help individuals acquire new skills, refine existing ones, and keep pace with industry standards. This continuous learning process ensures that professionals remain relevant and effective in their roles.

By way of example, in the food industry, there is growing attention given to protein. All of us work directly or indirectly in the protein value chain. Customers’ expectations, food norms, production techniques and technologies, our understanding about nutrition, equipment and its technology (transforming digital), and animal and plant genetics keep continually changing.

Boosting Employee Morale and Satisfaction
Training also plays a significant role in boosting employee morale and job satisfaction. When organizations invest in their employees’ development, it sends a positive message that they value and believe in their workforce. This investment leads to increased job satisfaction, higher motivation levels, and a stronger sense of loyalty among employees.

For instance, companies that offer leadership development programs, soft skills training, and career advancement opportunities often see lower turnover rates and higher engagement levels. Employees feel more competent, confident, and prepared to tackle challenges, resulting in a more positive work environment.
Fostering Innovation and Adaptability

In today’s fast-paced world, especially in the protein value chain/ food chain, innovation and adaptability are key to staying ahead of the competition. Training empowers individuals and organizations to embrace change and think creatively. It encourages a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation, where employees are not afraid to take risks and propose new ideas.

Organizations that prioritize training are better equipped to adapt to market shifts, technological disruptions, and changing customer demands. Specifically, we see a lot of digital applications being used in the protein production sector or the feed manufacturing sector. Companies that invest in digital transformation training can seamlessly transition to new business models, enhance their digital presence, and offer innovative solutions at production centres or to their clients.

Ensuring Compliance and Reducing Risks
Compliance with industry regulations and standards is non-negotiable for many businesses. It is an area that is catching up fast because of health and wellness concerns. Training ensures that employees are aware of and adhere to these regulations, thereby minimizing the risk of legal issues, financial penalties, and reputational damage. We operate in the food sector – be it production, R&D, or marketing – our audience is humans and their food; therefore, food safety and all regulations governing it take centre stage.

Improving Performance and Productivity
A well-trained workforce is synonymous with improved performance and productivity. Training equips employees with the knowledge and tools they need to perform their tasks efficiently and effectively. It reduces errors, enhances quality, and streamlines processes, leading to better overall performance.

To illustrate, customer service representatives who receive training on communication skills, conflict resolution, and product knowledge are more likely to handle inquiries and complaints successfully. This improved performance translates into higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. The workforce at a feed mill, when taught about implementing a proactive maintenance protocol, can help reduce downtime that could occur due to an unforeseen production issue.

Supporting Career Development and Progression
Training is instrumental in supporting career development and progression. It provides individuals with the skills and qualifications needed to advance in their careers. By offering training opportunities, organizations can nurture talent from within and prepare employees for higher responsibilities.

Mentorship programs, professional certifications, and specialized training courses, such as those of SEC, are some of the ways organizations can support career growth. Employees who see a clear path for progression within the company are more likely to stay committed and strive for excellence.

Contributing to Organizational Success
Ultimately, training the workforce contributes significantly to organizational success. A skilled, motivated, and adaptive workforce is a powerful asset that drives innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness. Organizations that invest in training are better positioned to achieve their strategic goals and maintain a sustainable growth trajectory.

In particular, companies with robust training programs often report higher profitability, stronger market positions, and greater resilience in the face of challenges. Training fosters a culture of learning and development, where continuous improvement is the norm and excellence is the standard.

Contributing to National Protein Security
The food sector’s training programs are essential not only for the company’s success but also for contributing to national protein security. As a key player in the food industry, our commitment to ensuring the safety, quality, and availability of protein sources is paramount. By training our workforce in best practices for food production, handling, and distribution, we help guarantee that our products meet stringent standards and are accessible to the wider population. Proteins are crucial for human health, playing a vital role in growth, repair, and maintaining bodily functions. Ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality protein is a critical aspect of national food security.

Our training programs cover various aspects of protein management— from sourcing sustainable and ethically produced raw materials to implementing advanced preservation techniques that extend shelf life and minimize waste.

Additionally, by investing in training, we foster innovation, which can diversify the market and offer more sustainable solutions to meet the growing demand. This proactive approach not only supports our business objectives but also aligns with global efforts to combat food insecurity and promote public health. By prioritizing training, we empower our workforce to uphold the highest standards in food safety, quality, and innovation, thereby contributing to the overarching goal of national protein security.

Conclusion
In conclusion, training is a vital component of real-world success. It enhances skills, boosts morale, fosters innovation, ensures compliance, improves performance, supports career development, and drives organizational success. Whether at an individual level or an organizational level, the benefits of training are profound and far-reaching. As the world continues to evolve, the importance of training will only grow, making it an indispensable element of personal and professional growth.

-RICKY THAPER (WWW.RICKYTHAPER.COM)

Extensive Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Automation Supported by the Industry to Sustain and Boost India’s Poultry Industry Growth while Ensuring Efficiency in Entire Value Chains

The Indian poultry market according to industry estimates was valued at USD 30.46 Billion in 2024. Due to rising demand for protein rich food, the sector is expected to witness a growth of 7% – 8% in the next decade. The value of the poultry industry is projected to rise to USD 66.37 Billion by 2034. Despite significant growth, the sector faces critical challenges such a volatility in feed supplies and prices, lack of availability of skilled manpower, threat of spread of diseases and rising cost of production. As the demand for poultry products continues to rise, poultry farmers in India are seeking ways to optimize their operations while addressing pressing challenges such as food security, environmental impact, and biosecurity. From precision farming and genetic advancements to automation and data analytics, these cutting-edge technologies are being increasingly used in the poultry industry.

Like most sectors of the economy, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are having a profound impact. In the poultry industry in India, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation is gradually transforming and improving efficiency, productivity, and animal welfare. Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered systems are being used for real-time monitoring of poultry houses, optimizing feed formulations, improving disease detection and streamlining logistics and supply chain management. Currently there are challenges in poultry operations in commercial layers, broilers and breeding farms. The key challenges are adverse climatic conditions, shortage and availability of skilled workers, emerging viral and bacterial diseases. Due to the age of the poultry sheds, prevalence of the diseases not eradicated while cleaning. Shortage of quality feed ingredients, use of medicines and ensuring availability of quality drinking water are also impacting the poultry industry. The quality of chicken meat is being impacted while lack of marketing facilities as well as price information is also adversely impacting the poultry sector.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based technologies to collect the data automatically and accurately in real-time helps in-depth analysis which could allow poultry farmers to immediately act upon optimizing the production.

For instance, predicting or projecting body weight for a given broiler line under local conditions. Under unsupervised learning, data collected would be categorized and trends detected without specific programing using resources from the cloud, huge amounts of data could be analysed to give advance notice of a particular outcome to the farmers. Data collected by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools would be the greatest resourceful tool in the hands of poultry farmers to harvest the maximum benefit of what they invested.

According to a report titled “Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Poultry Industry” by Livestock Farm Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Salem, Tamil Nadu, a huge amount of data can be generated in the poultry industry by providing data analysis which can play a huge role in farm management practices. Big data stored and processed in cloud spaces can be utilized remotely by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to govern the machines or robotics to regulate parameters like humidity, temperature, light, etc., in the poultry farms. For instance, Robots with various biosensors connected to the internet, can be programmed to collect real-time data on parameters like temperature, humidity, ammonia levels inside the farm, subsequently this information can be processed and necessary measures could be initiated. The report stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps to constantly monitor farm activities round the clock in real-time which would be an impossible task for humans to perform. Currently, in a large-scale poultry farm, several farm appliances and sensors are available to control the environmental temperature, humidity, and light, but the drawback with them is that they should be either manually operated or human supervision is a must to operate with. With the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), various sensors connected with the internet, the farm appliances can be operated from elsewhere giving accurate maintenance of the farmhouse environment at ease.

Computer supervised machinery and robotics could reduce sufficiently human interaction with broiler birds, reducing the source or spread of infection. Usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could reduce the error rate to negligible and work round the clock which can improve the efficiency of farming leading to maximizing farmer’s remuneration. Recent advancements in machine technologies have significantly revolutionized daily activities in the poultry production system. Aimed at reducing the need of labour, while ensuring round the clock monitoring, and facilitating remote reporting of growth of poultry birds, these Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are gradually being introduced. Some of the examples of application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation include the implementation of specialized robots equipped with imaging sensors and machine learning capabilities, adeptly navigates through poultry house floors, collecting eggs on the floors and monitoring factors such as temperatures, gases and light levels in the poultry units. An innovative autonomous robot utilizes artificial intelligence and sensor technology to evaluate the surrounding environment, identify equipment malfunctions, monitor the health of poultry and perform tasks such as removing deceased birds and analyzing moisture levels in the litter. For instance, the robot stimulates bird activity, contributing to improving both feed conversion and average daily weight gain Robot also continuously scratches the litter reducing the humidity, eliminating caking and wet spots, reducing the incidence of aspergillosis, pododermatitis, foot burn and breast burn contributing to animal welfare. It can also monitor and map ammonia, temperature and humidity levels throughout the farm to keep in check. A robot by a company was designed to sanitize large poultry farms.

For disease management amongst the poultry birds, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be trained for detecting early heat stress in birds by using thermal imaging cameras or infra-red cameras. Likewise, diseased birds from the flock can be identified based on their movement, posture, and behaviour by image analysis collected from diseased birds and compared with the healthy ones. These tools would enhance disease control amongst the poultry birds.
Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has also stressed on strengthening integrated disease surveillance and early warning systems for reports on bird flu incidents. Computer vision-based chicken monitoring systems have been developed to study bird feeding behaviour, stress behaviour, tracking bird movement, bird distribution within the farm, real-time monitoring, early detection of sick birds, identifying lameness and activity, predicting bird live weight based on 3D computer vision.

The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a range of applications in the meat processing plant and egg packing industry. These tools have potential to address some key issues in processing plants, lack of real-time processing data and the limiting speed of human interventions. The use of artificial vision offers real-time yield, monitoring of high-value chicken parts, also combined with smart automation to optimize efficiencies. For processing plants, Artificial Intelligence (AI) allows higher processing speeds and accurate packing of premium value products, translating into more profits and lesser post-harvest contamination. While still, the majority of the farms are collecting data manually and then getting the data processed in computers. By 2050, it has been estimated that a poultry farm would be able to generate 4.1 million data points through various sensors and other related devices connected through the internet of things.

Going forward Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted farming in various stages of poultry production from farm to consumers would help the Indian poultry sector immensely. There are tools to mitigate or to enhance a specific outcome of a farm produce with increased efficiency to tap farm maximum production potential. In the last few years, many companies have already focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) related research and prototypes in collaboration with leading universities across the globe. Further use of newer Artificial Intelligence (AI) related technologies will augment poultry production providing affordable animal protein along with ensuring sustainable farm practices. Broiler chicken industry has become India’s most organised and vertically integrated agri-business. The broiler integrators have turned poultry farming from traditionally to a commercial enterprise even for the smallholders. Currently over 80% of poultry meat production comes from the organised sector. For ensuring and sustaining the growth for the sector, Industry has to work closely with poultry farmers to ensure that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are used to optimum level for bringing in efficiency in the entire value chain.

Nuance Biotechnology, a rapidly emerging player in the feed additives industry, has made significant strides in 2024 by acquiring two prominent French companies—Global Nutrition International and NutriConcept. This strategic move has bolstered their global footprint, expanded R&D capabilities and facilitated their entry into key markets, including India. Poultry Creations, along with other poultry media, had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Nemanja Todorovic, Chief Business Officer and Mr. Joginder Singh Uppal, Business Director, South Asia, during the 35th AGM of the Poultry Federation of India in Gurugram to discuss their vision, innovations and plans for the Indian market

Entering the Indian Market and Expansion Strategies:

When did Nuance Biotech enter the Indian market and what are your strategies for expansion?
Dr. Nemanja Todorovic: India is not just a country; it is a continent in itself with immense potential in biotechnology and livestock. Recognizing this, we have appointed knowledgeable professionals like Mr. Uppal to lead our initiatives. Our key strategies include:
1. Forging strategic partnerships with key industry players.
2. Expanding distribution networks for broader market penetration.
3. Collaborating with research institutions to localize our products.
4. Educating farmers on the benefits of postbiotics and other innovations tailored to Indian conditions.”

Joginder Singh Uppal: “We launched our South Asian operations in June 2024 with a strong focus on poultry and dairy. Our flagship products, Nu.biom Aves for poultry and Nu.biom Bos for dairy, enhance resilience, performance and farm profitability. Our goal is to empower farmers through innovative solutions backed by scientific research and technical expertise.”

Understanding Postbiotics

Question: Can you explain the difference between postbiotics and other types of biotics?
Dr. Nemanja Todorovic: “Biotics are broadly categorized into prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics:
1. Prebiotics serve as a nutrient source for beneficial gut bacteria.
2. Probiotics are live microorganisms that improve gut health.
3. Postbiotics are metabolic byproducts of probiotics, offering stable and targeted benefits without the viability concerns of probiotics.

Our postbiotics enhance gut microbiota balance, optimize nutrient utilization and contribute to immune modulation. Imagine prebiotics as soil, probiotics as rice growing in the field and postbiotics as rice noodles ready for consumption.”

Tailoring Solutions for the Indian Market

Question: How does Nuance Biotech cater to the unique needs of the Indian market?
Joginder Singh Uppal: “We offer tailored solutions to address challenges in poultry and dairy farming, such as:
Postbiotics: A novel concept with proven benefits for immunity, egg quality and overall productivity.
Global Biotics: Products like mycotoxin binders (e.g., Global Fix) and acidifiers that address vital industry concerns.

Our goal is to support farmers with innovative products backed by research, while also educating them about sustainable and profitable farming practices.”

Market Strategy and Customer Engagement

Question: Who is your primary target in the market—feed mills, breeders, GP operators, commercial broiler farmers or integrators?
Joginder Singh Uppal: “Our primary focus is on feed mills since our products are predominantly feed additives. About 60-70% of the industry relies on feed, making this our initial target. Our secondary focus is integrators and large-scale farmers, including layer farmers who produce their own feed. Products like NutriGut and Globacid DW are designed for these segments.”

Unique Selling Proposition and Market Entry

Question: With several toxin binders and acidifiers in the market, what makes your products stand out?
Dr. Nemanja Todorovic: “Our precision production technology sets us apart. From raw material selection and fermentation to production and quality control, every step is meticulously executed. Our R&D-driven approach ensures high efficacy. Global Nutrition, part of our portfolio, has been a trusted name since 2002, exporting to over 40 countries. This global presence underscores the reliability and effectiveness of our products.”

Question: Have your products been introduced to the Indian market yet?
Dr. Nemanja Todorovic: “We commenced operations in mid-2024, focusing on key partnerships and collaborations. Our first consignment is scheduled to arrive next month, allowing us to engage with clients and initiate trials. Discussions with several companies are already underway.”

Future Innovations and Long-Term Vision

Question: Can you share upcoming innovations or product launches for the Indian poultry sector?
Joginder Singh Uppal: “Our focus extends beyond product launches—we provide integrated solutions. Enhancing animal resilience is at the core of our philosophy. By leveraging our expertise in microbial metabolites, we develop solutions tailored to specific market needs. While poultry and dairy remain our primary sectors, we are continuously evolving to address industry challenges.”

Question: What are your long-term plans for the Indian market?
Dr. Nemanja Todorovic: “Our strategy is structured around three key phases:
1. Establishing Partnerships – We have made significant progress in forging valuable collaborations.
2. Regional Expansion – In addition to India, we are targeting Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
3. Direct Sales and Marketing – While working with distributors for outreach, we also plan to engage directly with key accounts representing 50-60% of the poultry industry.”

Sustainability and Industry Challenges

Question: What steps is Nuance Biotech taking to ensure product sustainability?
Dr. Nemanja Todorovic: “Sustainability is at the core of our innovation strategy. We focus on enhancing nutrient utilization, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact. For example, our solutions target ammonia control in poultry and aquaculture. Additionally, our postbiotic solutions have shown promise in reducing methane emissions in dairy cattle, and we plan to conduct further trials in India with leading research institutions.”

Question: Unlike poultry, the Indian dairy sector consists largely of unorganized small farmers. How does Nuance Biotechnology plan to support them?
Dr. Nemanja Todorovic: “About 80% of India’s dairy farmers operate at a small scale. We aim to reach them through a three-pronged strategy:
1. Strengthening our distribution network to enhance accessibility.
2. Focusing on large dairy operations that drive significant market influence.
3. Leveraging veterinary shops as a direct channel for small-scale farmers, a model that has succeeded in similar markets.”

In conclusion, Nuance Biotech is positioning itself as a pioneering force in the feed additives sector, committed to innovation, sustainability and farmer education. As they expand their presence in India and beyond, their solutions promise to enhance efficiency, profitability and resilience in the livestock industry.

ZAGRO SINGAPORE Expands Manufacturing with New Facility in India

ZAGRO Singapore, along with its subsidiary PL Agro Technologies Ltd is seen to be bringing a revolution in animal nutrition. PL Agro Technologies Ltd. India, located in Chennai was acquired by ZAGRO Singapore in 2023.

ZAGRO Singapore, a renowned leader in animal health and nutrition, is reinforcing its commitment to providing innovative and high-quality solutions across the global animal nutrition market. Through its strategic acquisition of PL Agro Technologies Ltd. in 2023, ZAGRO has solidified its presence in India, where it now operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chennai, further enhancing its pan India footprint and product offerings.

The partnership between ZAGRO Singapore and PL Agro Technologies Ltd. marks a pivotal moment in the company’s journey, enabling it to expand its capacity for production while ensuring that the products are locally relevant and cost-effective for the Indian and global markets. At the heart of this expansion is the PL Agro facility, which now serves as the dedicated production hub for a comprehensive range of animal nutrition products designed to support the poultry industry and other animal health sectors.

The facility manufactures a variety of important products, including mineral premixes (both organic and inorganic), mycotoxin binders, Halquinol, oral liquids, Tiamulin 80% and customized products. These offerings are crafted to meet the diverse and evolving needs of the industry, providing solutions that not only enhance animal health but also ensure performance consistency and cost-efficiency.

ZAGRO Singapore’s decision to produce at the PL Agro facility is rooted in its unwavering confidence in the operational excellence of the plant, which boasts cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities and world-class quality control measures. The strategic importance of this facility is amplified by its ability to meet the increasing demand for high-quality animal nutrition solutions, all while maintaining local production standards and ensuring compliance with international regulations.
ZAGRO remains steadfast in its commitment to its core philosophy: “Global Technology, Local production and effective Solutions.” This guiding principle drives the company to deliver high-quality products tailored to local needs while adhering to global standards. Through sustainable practices and innovation, ZAGRO focuses on building long-term, reliable relationships with customers, distributors, and industry stakeholders across the globe.

The establishment of the PL Agro facility as the main production hub underscores ZAGRO’s long-term vision for India as a strategic market and a vital part of its global operations. With this move, Zagro aims to increase its market penetration, reduce product lead times, and enhance its responsiveness to customer needs.

Furthermore, ZAGRO Singapore is keen on engaging more directly with the poultry and animal health industries. The company’s goal for 2025 is to further strengthen its connections with poultry farmers, veterinarians, feed millers, and other industry professionals throughout India. This initiative aims to create stronger bonds, understand customer demands better, and offer even more tailored solutions.
For further inquiries or more detailed information, please contact:

Mr. Manas Mitra
Head of Business Operations, Zagro India
Email: manas.mitra@zagro.com

For Technical Assistance / Product Information
Mr. Raja Vadivel
R&D Project Manager, Zagro Singapore
Email: raja.vadivel@zagro.com

Visit our company websites for more information about us.
www.plagro.in
www.zagro.com