Dr. Partha P. Biswas, Former Associate Professor & HoD,

Because more poultry meat and eggs are being produced worldwide, people are asking for better, more sustainable ways to farm. This means finding new and better ways to feed animals in the future. From 2000 to 2020, global egg production went up by more than 41%, increasing from 51 million to 87 million tonnes, with an average annual growth rate of 3%.In 2023, poultry meat production hit 145 million tonnes and is still rising. With 6.29 million tonnes produced in 2020, India is fast approaching the level of production in the USA (6.29 million tonnes) produced in 2020. With an average egg size slightly lower than that in the USA (average weight of a standard large chicken egg 56.7 grams (2 oz) in the USA as against 50 to 55 grams in India), the Indian egg sector estimated that they have already overtaken the USA in terms of the number of eggs produced. India produced 149.11 billion eggs in the 2024–25 period, while the United States produced approximately 105 billion eggs in 2025. This growth is making it more important to find sustainable ways to feed animals.Even though raising poultry is less harmful to the environment compared to other types of animal farming, it still has some negative effects, such as increasing global warming, making water too rich in nutrients (eutrophication), and making soil too acidic. Low-carbon poultry feed is now moving from just an idea to real, practical use. Feed is responsible for about 70% of the total carbon footprint in poultry farming, so it’s the biggest area where we can cut down on carbon emissions. To make poultry farming more sustainable, we need to change how we get, mix, and use feed. Soybean meal and fishmeal have been the main sources of protein for animals, used in everything from chicken farming to fish farming. But keeping on using them at the same levels is bad for the environment. The reason we’re looking for alternatives isn’t because these materials don’t work well for animals—they are very effective. It’s because they cause serious environmental and economic problems, especially for systems that try to be sustainable and manage fish resources properly.

CIRCULAR AND ALTERNATIVE INGREDIENTS
Producers are actively moving away from relying entirely on conventional corn and deforestation-linked soy. Feed formulations are increasingly incorporating agro-industrial by-products, former foodstuffs (circular feed), and alternative protein crops like rapeseed and peas.
Life Cycle Assessments show that feeds formulated with these by-products can have a carbon footprint nearly 40% lower than traditional raw material feeds.

THE “BIG THREE INGREDIENTS” OF POULTRY FEED
Poultry sector consumes ~60% of India’s maize (~20+ million tonnes annually).Soybean meal demand: ~6-7 million tonnes domestically. In commercial broiler and layer operations, dry fish meal is rarely used When added at strategic levels, typically 3-8% in starter feeds and 2-5% in grower phases, fish meal enhances palatability, encouraging birds to consume more feed during critical early stages. This increased intake, paired with high digestibility, results in superior weight gains and improved FCR. In the layer segment, specialized demand exists for producing enriched eggs. The long-chain n-3 fatty acids (like DHA) in marine lipids transfer efficiently into the yolk.

1. SOYBEAN MEAL (THE PROTEIN BASE) : Soybean meal is the main source of protein in chicken feed around the world, but it has a big impact on the environment. The protein in soybean meal is high in lysine, which is first limiting amino acid in most chicken diets. This makes it a great match for grains like corn and wheat. India does not allow growing or bringing in raw genetically modified (GM)soybeans or seeds. India’s soybean production fell a lot during the 2025-2026 growing season, reaching about 11 to 12.7 million tons, which is much lower than before, causing a serious shortage of supply. When there are not enough non-GM soybeans locally, they get them from certain African countries. Non-GM soybeans are more expensive than GM ones. Even though GM soybean meal has been allowed sometimes to meet the protein needs for animal feed, there are worries about the effects on the environment. These worries include carbon emissions from cutting down forests in important areas like the Amazon and Cerrado, more risks for climate change, loss of wildlife, and pollution from farm chemicals running into water.

2.CORN / MAIZE (THE ENERGY SOURCE) : Corn provides the bulk energy in most poultry diets. While corn generally has a lower carbon footprint per kilogram than soy, birds eat much more of it. The primary carbon issue with corn is its heavy reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Manufacturing these fertilizers is extremely energy-intensive, and applying them to fields releases nitrous oxide (N₂O),a green house gas nearly 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Tractor fuel for plowing is another important issue.

3.FISH MEAL (THE SPECIALITY PROTEIN) : Though used in far smaller amounts (typically for young chicks or breeder birds), fish meal has a complex environmental footprint. The issue of TMA accumulation leading to a fishy flavor in brown-shelled eggs arises from a genetic defect in up to 10% of brown-feathered hens. Normally, TMA is oxidized in the liver into a harmless compound by the action of the enzyme trimethylamine oxidase. The synthesis of this enzyme depends on the expression of the FM03 gene, located on chromosome 8. In the case of anon-synonymous mutation in the FM03 gene (designated T3295),hens cannot oxidize TMA, which then accumulates in the yolk. Poultry diets restrict fish meal to 5-10% of total feed due to ecological inefficiencies. Fishmeal is sourced from small forage fish like anchovies and sardines, which are crucial to the marine food web. Overfishing these species endangers higher trophic levels, leading to decline predatory fish, marine mammals, and seabirds.Moreover, forage fish populations are vulnerable to climate change, causing unstable fishmeal supplies and significant price volatility.India is the third-largest producer and exporter of fishmeal. Fig.1:

Fig.1: Typical poultry feed mix

ECONOMIC HURDLES TO TRANSITION OF CIRCULAR PROTEINS
The transition to circular proteins, such as microbial biomass, insect meal, or fermented agro-industrial waste, is essential for stabilizing ecosystems and is crucial for a sustainable livestock industry. However, commercial feed mills face significant economic barriers due to scale, commodity pricing, and supply chain maturity, making it challenging to replace traditional soybean meal. Here are the primary economic hurdles commercial mills face today:

THE PRICE PARITY GAP
Decades of agricultural subsidies, optimized supply chains, and massive economies of scale keep their prices relatively low and stable (historically ranging from $600-$750 per ton for soy, and $1,500 to $2,000 for fishmeal). In contrast, alternative proteins like Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) or microalgae carry immense initial capital expenditures (CapEx) to build high-tech bio-manufacturing or fermentation facilities.
Although insects like Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) raised on organic waste represent the ultimate circular protein, converting low-value biomass into high-value feed with a minimal land and water footprint. BSFL defatted protein meal and de-oiled powder generally trade between ₹110 and ₹250 per kg in Indian market & wholesale price roughly between $1,320 and $3,000 USD per ton.

SCALE AND VOLUME CONSISTENCY
Commercial feed mills produce feed continuously, requiring tens of thousands of tons of standardized ingredients every single month. Currently, very few alternative protein manufacturers can guarantee that volume without interruption. If a mill alters its highly specific formulation to include 5% insect meal, and the supplier falls short on delivery, the mill has to halt production, re-calibrate its software, and reformulate the diet using different ingredients. This downtime is extraordinarily expensive.

HIDDEN COSTS OF NUTRITIONAL REBALANCING
Soybean meal and fishmeal are highly dependable. Nutritionists have a clear understanding of how these ingredients function within the digestive systems of fish and birds. When a mill uses insect meal or a plant-based alternative to fishmeal, the amino acid profile changes. As a result, the mill needs to purchase additional synthetic amino acids, such as L-methionine or L-lysine, along with specific feed enzymes to compensate for the missing nutrients. This helps maintain the animals’ growth rates. Even if the base alternative protein is priced competitively, these added ingredients increase the overall cost of the final feed formulation.

RETROFITTING MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Feed mills are designed to handle, grind, and pellet traditional grains and meals. However, alternative ingredients often have very different physical properties. For instance, some insect meals contain significantly more fat than solvent-extracted soybean meal. High levels of lipids can cause blockages in extruders, reduce the quality of feed pellets (making them prone to breaking during transport), and damage machinery. To effectively use these new ingredients at high levels, mills usually need to invest heavily in upgrading their equipment, such as adding new vacuum liquid-coating systems for fats. Many mills are reluctant to make these costly investments due to financial concerns.

REGULATORY APPROVAL COSTS
The global feed industry has strict rules to stop harmful substances from getting into the food chain. To get approval for a new type of protein, like microbial biomass or insect protein, used in animal feed, companies must do many expensive and time-consuming tests. These tests check for safety, look for heavy metals, and measure how well the protein is digested. This process can take many years.The cost of these tests ends up being passed on to the feed producers, which raises the cost of the ingredients. Unless these alternative proteins can be made in large amounts and sold at prices that are as good as soy or wild-caught fish, they are probably only used in special, high-end, or environmentally friendly feed products, not in regular, mass-produced feeds..Fig.2:

Fig.2: A picture showing how to raise chickens in a way that is good for the environment, people, and the poultry industry. It shows how being efficient with resources, taking care of the chickens’ health and happiness, keeping the farm safe from disease, making sure the chickens are productive, and making the whole food system strong and able to handle challenges are all connected and important.

THE GLOBAL RACE TO DECARBONIZE LIVESTOCK DIET

CIRCULAR INGREDIENTS & CARBON REDUCTION
Upcycling Waste: Using agricultural and slaughterhouse by-products (like DDGS, fruit pomace, and rendered fats) reduces reliance on land-intensive virgin crops and prevents landfill methane. The sustainable use of fruit and vegetable residues (FVRs) in poultry feed formulations has gained considerable attention due to their potential in advancing animal health However, certain challenge such as anti-nutritional factors, palatability issues, and processing techniques are also associated while incorporating these residues into poultry diets. Fermentation technologies create new opportunities to recover nutrients from agricultural residues and improve their value in poultry diets.

Carbon-Optimized Formulation: Modern feed software integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data to dynamically select ingredients based on their carbon footprint, not just cost and nutrition. LCA is a measurement of the emissions generated during its cultivation, processing, and transport. The software can calculate the exact environmental cost of using raw protein crops (like soy) versus supplementing with synthetic amino acids. It optimizes the diet to prevent protein overfeeding, which simultaneously lowers the feed’s initial GWP (Global Warming Potential) and reduces the nitrogen output (and offensive odors) in the poultry droppings.

THE SHIFT TO DDGS (DISTILLERS DRIED GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES)

Cost Advantage: Maize-based DDGS (₹17-₹20/kg) is significantly cheaper than soymeal (~₹40/kg), driving rapid adoption in the poultry industry.
Substitution Limits: DDGS can replace 25-30% of maize demand. Insect protein and algae can replace small portions of soy (5-10%).
Ongoing Conventional Reliance: Despite these alternatives, conventional ingredients will still make up 60-70% of overall feed requirements.
PRECISION NUTRITION
Targeted Diets: Formulating feed to match exact amino acid and energy needs improves the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
Lower Emissions: Preventing protein overfeeding reduces nitrogen in manure, which directly lowers harmful nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions downstream. Fig.3

Fig.3: Alternative protein sources for animal feed in a circular bioeconomy could include things like leftover materials from farming and food processing, meals made from insects and worms, leftovers from biorefineries, proteins made by microbes, and by-products from aquatic sources.

BETWEEN REALITY AND RHETORIC: LOW-CARBON POULTRY FEED
Moving from using a wide variety of ingredients in poultry feed to providing exactly what the birds need at each stage of growth is key to creating real low-carbon feed. While some talk about replacing soy with new ingredients, the actual science is about making tiny, precise changes. It’s about giving birds exactly the right nutrients they need, in the right amounts, so nothing is wasted. Real reductions in carbon emissions from poultry feed don’t come from using popular or fashionable ingredients. They come from making sure every part of the feed works as efficiently as possible. Ensuring every gram of feed is used well is the best way a farm can help the environment. Instead of providing too much crude protein, experts can use specific synthetic amino acids like L-Methionine, L-Lysine, and L-Threonine.This helps reduce the total amount of crude protein in the birds’ diets. By cutting crude protein by just 1.5%, farms can lower their carbon footprint by about 70 kg of CO₂ equivalent per ton.

CONCLUSION
Despite having significant potential, incorporating insects, algae, fermented products, and agricultural and industrial by-products into chicken feed continues to face multiple challenges. These challenges include scientific, technical, economic, and legal difficulties. For insects, key issues include variability in their nutritional content based on their diet, high chitin content that complicates protein digestion for chickens, higher production costs compared to traditional protein sources, and the absence of established international safety and quality standards. Consumer acceptance of chicken products derived from insect-based diets remains uncertain, which may hinder large-scale adoption. The effort to reduce the carbon footprint in chicken feed presents a mix of real benefits and exaggerated claims. While some measurable progress is achievable, the extent and impact of these improvements often fall short of what companies assert. Reducing the carbon footprint in chicken feed is neither a complete solution nor a total myth; it represents incremental steps within a broader system that is not sustainable. The true advantages come from the following areas:

– Integrating a circular bioeconomy into feed production
– Minimizing reliance on imported protein
– Utilizing waste materials effectively
– Developing better alternative ingredients

The industry must shift from making grand promises to achieving tangible improvements. This involves recognizing and celebrating small achievements, such as 5-10% reductions, while also being honest about limitations and working towards broader changes that extend beyond mere feed modifications. This conclusion reflects both the actual progress being made and the gap between marketing claims and real-world outcomes, offering a balanced assessment of the industry’s current position regarding sustainable feed promises. Hybrid feeding systems that combine commercial and alternative feed sources generally provide the most consistent results, although maintaining mineral balance is essential during the laying phase.

REFERENCES
1.Vincent Guyonnet (2025) : Chapter 2 World Egg Production and Marketing Trends, In book: Handbook of egg science and technology (pp.9-26) Publisher: CRC Press. DOI:10.1201/9781003254430-3.
2.Hairui Yu et al (2025): Sustainable poultry farming: mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in poultry farming through nutritional and environmental modulations. World’s Poultry Science JournalVolume 81, 2025 – Issue 4: Pages 1081-1141.
3.Dheeraj Kumar et al (2025): Alternative feed ingredients in poultry diets: A review of nutritional potential, processing technologies, and challenges. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry 2025; SP-10(9): 16-19.
4.Yadi Oktariansyah*& Mustafa Kamal (2026): Alternative Feed Use in Poultry Chickens: Impacts on Feed Efficiency and Physiological Parameters—A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Natural Sciences ISSN 2721-5571 (Online) Vol.7, No.1 March 2026: 41-53.

Moisture Optimization and Mold Control:
An Integrated Approach to Improving Feed Quality,
Shelf Life, and Feed Mill Profitability in Tropical Climates

Dr. Maloshrie Bora, Senior Program Manager – Feed Safety, Trouw Nutrition South Asia

Across India and South Asia, feed manufacturers today face a common challenge: producing safe, stable, high-quality feed while navigating increasingly variable climate conditions, fluctuating raw material quality, rising production costs, and greater demands for feed efficiency.

Among the many factors that influence feed quality, moisture management remains one of the most underestimated. Yet moisture directly impacts pellet quality, nutrient preservation, feed hygiene, shelf life, production throughput, and overall profitability. Improper moisture management can result in shrinkage, spoilage, mold proliferation, nutrient losses, increased fines, and reduced mill efficiency. Conversely, optimized moisture control can generate significant economic returns while improving feed quality throughout the supply chain.

The Hidden Economics of Moisture Loss
During feed manufacturing, moisture is lost at several stages, including grinding, conditioning, pelleting, cooling, storage, and transportation. Industry observations indicate that feed mills can lose between 0.5% and 1.5% moisture during production, resulting in direct shrinkage and reduced profitability. A feed mill producing 500 tonnes per day can lose approximately 5 tonnes of saleable product for every 1% moisture reduction. In an industry where margins are constantly under pressure, minimizing process losses represents a substantial opportunity for value creation.

Why Adding Water Alone Does Not Solve the Problem
A common industry practice for compensating moisture losses is the addition of water during feed processing. While this may appear straightforward, water possesses high surface tension and does not distribute uniformly throughout the feed matrix. Instead, free moisture often remains on the surface of feed particles, increasing water activity and creating favourable conditions for microbial growth. The challenge for the modern feed industry is therefore not simply increasing moisture content, but ensuring moisture is effectively distributed and retained throughout the feed while maintaining microbial stability.

Mold Growth: A Feed Quality and Profitability Threat
Molds are among the most significant biological threats to feed quality. Beyond visible spoilage, molds consume valuable nutrients, reduce energy content, affect feed palatability, shorten storage life, and create conditions favourable for mycotoxin production. The economic implications can be significant. Raw materials often constitute up to 80% of total feed production costs. Any reduction in nutritional value, shelf life, or feed volume directly impacts both manufacturers and producers downstream.

Emerging Scientific Approaches to Mold Inhibition
Advances in feed preservation technology have moved beyond conventional organic acid applications. Modern solutions increasingly combine multiple modes of action to optimize efficacy under practical feed manufacturing conditions. These technologies typically integrate:
Organic acids
– Buffered acid systems
– Moisture management agents
– Surfactants and emulsifiers
– Synergistic bioactive compounds
Such approaches improve moisture distribution, enhance contact between active ingredients and microbial cells, and prolong preservation effectiveness throughout storage. This scientific evolution reflects the industry’s transition from simple preservation strategies toward integrated moisture and microbial management systems.

Commercial Validation: Integrating Moisture and Feed Hygiene
Research and commercial evaluations have demonstrated that moisture management and mold control must work together. In one reported study, the addition of plain water alone reduced feed shelf life by approximately 33%. However, when moisture was combined with an integrated mold inhibition program, shelf life improved compared to untreated feed while preserving feed quality and stability. Additional commercial applications have shown benefits including:
– Improved feed mill throughput
– Enhanced pellet durability
– Reduced reprocessed fines
– Better moisture retention
– Improved production efficiency
– Greater feed stability during storage
These findings highlight that effective moisture optimization depends on simultaneously managing microbial risks

A Modern Approach for South Asia
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by feed manufacturers in tropical climates, Trouw Nutrition has developed integrated solutions specifically designed to optimize moisture management and feed hygiene.

Among these solutions is the Fylax® portfolio, which combines organic acid technology, moisture management agents, surfactants, and the proprietary ActiProp® technology platform. The objective is to improve moisture distribution, enhance mold inhibition, preserve nutrient value, and support feed mill efficiency within a single integrated program. ActiProp® technology works by increasing mold cell wall permeability and improving access of active ingredients to microbial targets, resulting in enhanced preservation performance compared with conventional approaches. At the same time, moisture-management components facilitate more uniform distribution of moisture within the feed matrix, helping improve operational efficiency and shelf-life outcomes.

In today’s feed industry, moisture management can no longer be viewed simply as a processing parameter—it is a critical driver of feed quality, feed safety, and profitability. As feed manufacturers across India and South Asia face increasing challenges from humidity, raw material variability, and shelf-life pressures, an integrated approach that combines moisture optimization with effective mold control is becoming essential. By preserving nutrient value, reducing shrinkage, improving pellet quality, and enhancing microbial stability, modern feed hygiene solutions can help mills achieve greater operational efficiency while delivering safer, more consistent feed to livestock producers. Ultimately, successful feed preservation is not just about preventing spoilage—it is about maximizing value throughout the feed-to-food chain.

It was a pleasure to visit the Gurgaon office of Dovoy Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd., a biotechnology-driven company that has been delivering innovative solutions to industries worldwide. With a strong presence across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Dovoy has established itself as a trusted partner in animal health, nutrition, grain processing, food ingredients, and industrial solutions.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Amit Kaushik, Director, Dovoy Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Duttle Bing, General Manager – ASPAC & EMEA, Dovoy Inc. Singapore; Dr. Vipul Gohel, Director, MIV Biosolutions and Channel Partner for Dovoy; Mr. Anand Singh, Business Head – Animal Health; Dr. Sumit Raja, Technical Manager – Animal Health; Mr. Shyam Sunder Sharma, Business Head – DGP; Ms. Dhanashri Shitole, Zonal Sales Manager-South & Maharashtra and Ms. Akanksha Sethi, Dovoy.
Mr. Amit Kaushik highlighted that what truly differentiates Dovoy is its unwavering commitment to innovation, research, and quality. The company operates advanced ISO 17025:2017 accredited laboratories where product development, quality assurance, enzyme assays, thermostability testing, and customized solution development are carried out to meet the evolving needs of modern industries.

Mr. Kaushik further emphasized that Dovoy’s vision extends beyond supplying products. The company is focused on delivering holistic solutions and value-added services to customers. Complimentary amino acid profiling services, supported by their ISO 17025:2017 accredited laboratory, provide customers with greater confidence in feed quality and nutritional accuracy. Dovoy’s state-of-the-art laboratory is equipped with sophisticated technologies including the Agilent HPLC 1260, advanced spectrophotometers, Kjeldahl Distillation systems, Class-II Biosafety facilities, biodigesters, and Neogen Raptor platforms. These capabilities support quality assurance and the development of innovative biotechnology solutions across multiple sectors.

According to Mr. Shyam Sunder Sharma, Dovoy’s expertise in proximate analysis, protease enzyme thermostability testing, aflatoxin reduction solutions, microbial load analysis, amino acid profiling, and advanced enzyme assay testing provides a significant competitive edge. The company adheres to globally recognized standards including ISO, GMP, REACH, Halal, FSSAI, Kosher, ZDHC, and D&B certifications.

In the Animal Health & Nutrition sector, Dovoy offers a comprehensive portfolio of feed additive solutions including enzymes, organic trace minerals, yeast-based products, antioxidants, immune modulators, gut health solutions, toxin binders, acidifiers, and lipid metabolism enhancers. These technologies are designed to improve nutrient utilization, gut health, productivity, and overall farm profitability, as shared by Mr. Anand Singh and Dr. Sumit Raja.

The visit was followed by an engaging podcast hosted by Ms. Dhanashri Shitole and Ms. Akanksha Sethi, where I shared my thoughts on the “Future of the Indian Poultry Feed Industry.” I look forward to its release of this Podcast in the coming days.

The visit provided valuable insights into how biotechnology, innovation, and scientific excellence are shaping the future of animal nutrition and sustainable livestock production. It was inspiring to witness Dovoy’s commitment to developing practical, performance-oriented solutions backed by robust research and field validation.

PIONEERING ANIMAL HEALTH THROUGH PHYTOGENIC INNOVATION

France Based IDENA’s Complex Phytogenic Animal Nutrition Products Through Feed Development has led to Higher Productivity and Better Animal Health – Ricky Thaper (www.rickythaper.com)

Improving livestock health has been recognized by producers as an important sustainability effort which improves efficiency and reduces productivity losses in the animal husbandry sector. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged nations to integrate animal health into their national climate commitments, calling it “vital for sustainable livestock production.” The roadmap recognized the importance of livestock to 1.7 billion farmers worldwide and offered proven pathways for addressing its climate footprint including better genetics, feed, and animal health. An UN report calculated the effects of different steps to address livestock emission by stating that animal productivity increase would reduce emissions 20%. It also stated that feed improvements by 12%, better animal health by 10%, improved genetics by 8% and methane reducing feed additives by 5%.

This growing recognition of the value of animal health and related technologies has the potential to boost livestock sustainability and decrease its carbon footprint. This will require adoption of strong biosecurity protocols, improved feed and use of good additives, better breeding practices and adoption of new digital technologies. Keeping this vision in mind, several companies have been working towards boosting animal health and productivity through development of innovative products keeping into consideration the unique needs of countries across the world.

Since its creation in 1995, France based global major in animal nutrition IDENA group has developed products keeping into account the nutritional needs of poultry, dairy, and piggery. The key focus of the IDENA is to introduce innovative additives and pre-mixes which boost the poultry and livestock feed and increase performances of poultry and livestock in the farms.

At IDENA, head-quartered in SAUTRON, Pays de la Loire, France, there are experts who are passionate about developing products which promote animal growth and welfare. IDENA’s technical and sales teams, often in the field, offers tailor-made advice to improve the formulation of products and optimise their effectiveness depending on the needs of the customer. The company has succeeded in establishing its fundamentals and convictions in the animal nutrition market, developing them and continuing to build on them. In 2001, the IDENA production plant in Pontchâteau, France was set up.

The mission of the company is to market natural alternatives to conventional additives in order to reduce the use of antibiotics and preserve their effectiveness (antibiotic resistance). These alternatives are made up of phytogenic, bioactive and active ingredients derived from lactic fermentations through IDENA’s sister company STI BIOTECHNOLOGIE which has developed a unique range of Postbiotics.

Following a specific inactivation process, STI Biotechnologie manufactures, among other products, a postbiotic solution, available in powder and liquid form. METALAC promotes digestive comfort, enhances animal welfare, and improves the animals’ immune status.

The company has numerous scientific publications: S. Jansseune’s thesis, published last June, expanded knowledge of METALAC through in vitro and in vivo experimental trials, as well as on the composition of metabolites synthesized during bacterial fermentation. The postbiotic contributes to the formation of a beneficial bacterial biofilm to protect intestinal villus cells, thereby strengthening the intestinal barrier. This research is continuing with a postdoctoral fellowship in collaboration with the University of Rennes, supervised by Monogastric Product Manager Maeva JEGOU.

Under the leadership of Director Christophe TANGUY, the Asia-Middle East region is managed by David CHEREL, based in China.

IDENA has also developed a complete range of nutritional specialities to improve the feed efficiency of animals fed in organic farming systems and these products are all approved by official organic farming certification bodies.

IDENA has a range of poultry products, among them; FORCIX PY (Prevention of the risk associated with Eimeria together with Necrotic Enteritis), FORKEY LS (Prevention of the risk associated with Histomonas in Turkeys), EVOPERF (Digestive comfort and performance), PONTIPLUS (Supporting hen productivity and longevity by maintaining laying rate and improving egg quality and breeders’ eggs hatchability) and IDAFIX+ (a large spectrum powerful mycotoxin binder). All these poultry products are based on the results of extensive scientific research, particularly into the action of plant extracts and essential oils. The issues studied relate mainly to make better use of the nutrients supplied and managing the risks of parasites and bacteria amongst the poultry birds. In poultry, IDENA focus is on gut health, mineral balance, feed efficiency, and resilience of birds under commercial conditions. IDENA solutions combine R&D, field validation, and practical formulation expertise to ensure both technical efficiency and economic viability. The nutrition experts in the company have developed a range of products designed to improve the feed efficiency of ruminants, focussing on critical components – protein, energy and fibre. The company also focussed on pig production for creating formulation through feed recipes and increase digestive efficiency of the animals.

To design animal feeding in different ways and to improve technical and economic performance while respecting animal welfare and the environment, IDENA develops quality feed products for the various sectors of the livestock economy- feed manufacturers, premix manufacturers, integrators, hatcheries, dairies, farms and breeders. The products are developed by consultants specialised by species. The IDENA group is made up of departments covering areas such as research and development, animal nutrition engineering and the manufacture of premixes and innovative specialities. This enables each entity to focus fully on its core business, whilst benefiting from the Group’s stability, experience and long term vision.

110 people are currently cooperating at IDENA, with Mr. Renaud Domitile as CEO and Mr. Massoud Aoun as General Manager. The commercial team is led by Mr. Franck Vaillant, Commercial Director, with 6 Regional Export Managers to cover the 5 continents.

Team of experts from the group also carry out on-farm audits to better adapt the formulation and use of additives to the context of each livestock farm. Six people are offering technical support for poultry: Mrs. Anne MAHIEU, Nutritionist-Head of Poultry Department, Dr. Jean-Marie WATIER- Vet Poultry Specialist, Ms. Amandine CANIN-Poultry Nutritionist Engineer, Mr. Khalil AOUAD, Poultry Nutritionist Engineer, and Mr. Bohdan BODNAR, Poultry Nutritionist Engineer, and also Mr. Renaud Domitile, CEO which is recognized worldwide for his nutrition expertise.

The 2000s saw the internationalisation of the Group’s activities. The company offers its services to hundreds of customers, both feed manufacturers and players in the animal sector, spread across France to more than 60 countries spanning five continents. It has succeeded in establishing its fundamentals and convictions in the animal nutrition market, developing them and continuing to build on them.

The Group has a robust central structure, which ensures strategic consistency, supports the development of its subsidiaries and fosters synergies between areas of expertise. The company’s annual revenue was approximately €50 million in 2025

With the future collaboration with Distributors in India, IDENA group has great plans to expand its presence in India, which has the world’s biggest livestock population said Mr. Renaud Domitile, CEO. The India poultry market is driven by strong demand for affordable animal protein and rapid industry structuring. However, it remains a highly competitive and price-sensitive market, where solutions must combine technical performance with clear economic return added Mr. Khalil AOUAD, Poultry Nutritionist Engineer.

Mr. Franck Vaillant, Commercial Director said through IDENA product innovation, India’s poultry and livestock sector will be immensely benefited to better feed and increase in productivity because of improvement in animal health. IDENA’s strength compared to most of its competitors lies not only in the fact that the company offers a range of innovative phytogenic products designed to improve feed efficiency and livestock performance, but that this offering is backed by extensive expertise in animal nutrition, feed formulation and livestock management, which IDENA’s teams make available to their partner clients.

For further information about IDENA poultry, dairy and piggery products, kindly visit IDENA Website: http://www.idena.fr/

Introduction
The poultry industry is one of the fastest-growing segments of global agriculture and plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, nutritional sustainability, and rural livelihoods. Poultry meat and eggs are among the most affordable and widely consumed sources of high-quality animal protein. However, the economic sustainability of poultry farming is increasingly threatened by rising feed costs, which account for nearly 65–75% of total production expenditure in commercial poultry enterprises. Among feed ingredients, soybean meal (SBM) constitutes the primary protein source because of its superior amino acid profile, high digestibility, and consistent nutrient availability. Nevertheless, volatility in soybean prices due to climate change, global trade disruptions, geopolitical conflicts, biofuel competition, transportation costs, and fluctuating international commodity markets has significantly increased production costs in poultry farming. The dependence on imported soybean meal in many developing countries, including India, further exposes poultry producers to supply chain uncertainties and foreign exchange fluctuations. Consequently, poultry nutritionists and farm managers are actively exploring alternative protein sources and innovative farm management strategies to reduce feed costs while maintaining productivity, flock health, and profitability. Simultaneously, advances in precision poultry farming, digital technologies, environmental control systems, and feed efficiency optimization are transforming poultry production into a more data-driven and economically resilient enterprise. The integration of nutritionally viable soymeal alternatives with smart farm management practices offers a promising pathway toward sustainable poultry production under conditions of escalating feed prices.

Importance of Soybean Meal in Poultry Nutrition
Soybean meal has long been regarded as the benchmark protein ingredient in poultry diets because of its excellent nutritional characteristics. Typically containing 44–48% crude protein, soybean meal provides an ideal balance of essential amino acids, particularly lysine, which is often limiting in cereal-based diets. Its high digestibility, palatability, and relatively low fibre content make it highly suitable for broilers, layers, breeders, and turkeys.
In broiler nutrition, soybean meal supports rapid muscle development, efficient feed conversion, and improved carcass quality. In layer production, it contributes to enhanced egg production, egg mass, and shell quality. Furthermore, soybean meal contains beneficial bioactive compounds and functional peptides that positively influence gut health and immune responses.

Despite these advantages, excessive dependence on soybean meal has created several challenges for the poultry industry. Global soybean production is concentrated in a limited number of countries, making supply chains vulnerable to climatic events, geopolitical instability, and export restrictions. Additionally, soybean cultivation has been associated with deforestation, biodiversity loss, and environmental concerns, especially in South America. Increasing competition between feed, food, and biofuel sectors has also intensified pressure on soybean availability and pricing.

As feed costs continue to rise, the poultry industry is increasingly compelled to diversify protein sources and adopt more economically sustainable feeding strategies.

Economic Consequences of Rising Feed Cost in Poultry Production
Feed cost inflation directly reduces profit margins in poultry enterprises. Since poultry production operates on relatively narrow economic margins, even modest increases in feed prices can significantly affect profitability. Broiler production is particularly sensitive because of short production cycles and high feed consumption rates. Similarly, in layer operations, prolonged periods of elevated feed prices may substantially reduce returns over feed cost.

Rising feed costs result in several economic consequences:
– Increased cost per kilogram of live weight gain.
– Reduced feed conversion efficiency under poor-quality diets.
– Decline in egg production profitability.
– Increased market price of poultry products.
– Reduced competitiveness of small-scale producers.
– Lower farm expansion and investment capacity.

In many regions, feed manufacturers and poultry producers respond by reformulating diets with lower-cost ingredients. However, indiscriminate replacement of soybean meal without proper nutritional balancing may impair growth performance, immunity, carcass quality, and reproductive efficiency. Therefore, economically sustainable poultry production requires a scientific approach that combines alternative feed ingredients with precision nutritional management.

Oilseed Meals as Alternatives to Soybean Meal
Oilseed by-products are among the most practical alternatives to soybean meal in poultry feeding systems. Several oilseed meals possess substantial protein content and can partially replace soybean meal when diets are appropriately formulated.

Canola Meal
Canola meal contains approximately 35–40% crude protein and is rich in sulphur-containing amino acids. It can effectively replace part of soybean meal in broiler and layer diets. However, its higher fibre content and presence of glucosinolates may limit inclusion levels.

Sunflower Meal
Sunflower meal is another important protein source with good methionine content. Dehulled sunflower meal possesses improved nutrient density and can be used efficiently in poultry rations. Enzyme supplementation enhances its digestibility.

Cottonseed Meal
Cottonseed meal provides substantial protein but contains gossypol, a toxic pigment that restricts its inclusion in poultry diets. Proper processing and iron supplementation may reduce toxicity concerns.

Groundnut Cake
Groundnut cake is widely used in India and other Asian countries because of its local availability and moderate protein content. However, aflatoxin contamination remains a major concern requiring strict quality control measures.

Sesame and Linseed Cakes
These oilseed cakes provide supplementary protein and beneficial fatty acids, although their use is often limited by fibre content and anti-nutritional factors. Oilseed meals can substantially reduce feed costs when incorporated scientifically with amino acid balancing and enzyme supplementation.

Use of Legume Grains in Poultry Feeding
Legume grains are gaining popularity as sustainable and locally available protein alternatives in poultry nutrition. Commonly used legumes include peas, lupins, chickpeas, pigeon pea, and faba beans.
Nutritional Advantages
– Moderate to high protein content.
– Good starch availability.
– Reduced dependence on imported soybean meal.
– Nitrogen fixation benefits in agriculture.
– Lower environmental footprint.

Constraints
– Presence of tannins, trypsin inhibitors, lectins, and non-starch polysaccharides.
– Lower methionine content compared to soybean meal.
– Variability in nutrient composition.

Modern processing technologies such as extrusion, roasting, soaking, dehulling, and fermentation help reduce anti-nutritional factors and improve nutrient utilization. In broiler diets, partial replacement of soybean meal with processed legumes has demonstrated satisfactory growth performance and feed efficiency.
The use of locally cultivated legumes can also strengthen regional feed security and reduce transportation-related costs.

Distillers Dried Grains and Agro-Industrial By-Products
Agro-industrial by-products represent an economically valuable resource for poultry feeding. The poultry industry increasingly utilizes these ingredients within circular economy models aimed at reducing waste and improving resource efficiency.

Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)
DDGS is a by-product of ethanol production and contains considerable protein, fat, phosphorus, and digestible energy. It is widely used in broiler and layer diets at moderate inclusion levels.
Rice Bran
Rice bran is abundantly available in rice-producing countries and provides energy, oil, vitamins, and moderate protein. Stabilization is necessary to prevent rancidity.
Wheat Bran and Pollard
These by-products supply fibre, phosphorus, and moderate protein but are generally used at lower inclusion rates in poultry because of high fibre levels.
Brewer’s Grains
Brewer’s grains can serve as low-cost feed ingredients after proper drying and preservation.
Bakery Waste
Processed bakery waste offers a highly digestible energy source capable of partially replacing maize in poultry diets. Although agro-industrial by-products reduce feed costs, variability in nutrient composition necessitates routine laboratory analysis and quality assurance.

Insect Meal as a Novel Protein Source
Insect meal has emerged as a highly promising alternative protein source for poultry production. Black soldier fly larvae meal, mealworm meal, and housefly larvae meal possess high crude protein levels and favourable amino acid profiles.

Advantages of Insect Meal
– Excellent digestibility.
– High protein concentration.
– Efficient conversion of organic waste into biomass.
– Reduced land and water use.
– Lower environmental impact compared to soybean cultivation.

Studies have shown that insect meal can partially replace soybean meal and fishmeal in broiler diets without adversely affecting growth performance or carcass quality. Some insect-derived lipids also possess antimicrobial properties that may support gut health.

However, large-scale commercialization faces several limitations:
– High production costs.
– Regulatory constraints.
– Limited industrial infrastructure.
– Consumer perception challenges.
As production technologies improve, insect meal may become increasingly competitive as a sustainable protein source for poultry feeding.

Algae, Single Cell Proteins, and Fermented Feed Ingredients
Microalgae and microbial proteins represent future-oriented feed resources with substantial potential for poultry nutrition.

Microalgae
Species such as Spirulina and Chlorella contain high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and pigments. In layer diets, algae supplementation enhances yolk pigmentation and antioxidant status.
Single Cell Protein (SCP)
Yeast, bacteria, and fungal biomass can provide highly digestible protein with rapid production rates and minimal land requirement.
Fermented Feed Ingredients
Fermentation improves nutrient availability and reduces anti-nutritional compounds in feed ingredients. Fermented soybean meal, fermented legumes, and probiotic-enriched feeds enhance gut health and nutrient absorption in poultry.

These technologies contribute to improved feed conversion efficiency and may reduce dependence on expensive conventional protein sources.

Precision Nutrition and Least-Cost Feed Formulation
Precision nutrition is essential for maintaining profitability during periods of feed cost escalation. Modern least-cost formulation software allows nutritionists to design diets that meet nutrient requirements at minimum cost while incorporating alternative ingredients.

Major Precision Nutrition Approaches
– Digestible amino acid formulation.
– Ideal protein concept.
– Phase feeding.
– Precision protein nutrition.
– Net energy systems.
– Use of synthetic amino acids.

The supplementation of lysine, methionine, threonine, valine, and tryptophan enables significant reduction in crude protein levels without compromising performance. Lower protein diets reduce feed cost, nitrogen excretion, and metabolic stress.

Feed enzymes such as phytase, xylanase, protease, and β-glucanase further enhance nutrient digestibility and improve utilization of unconventional feed ingredients.

Precision nutrition therefore represents a cornerstone strategy for economical poultry production under volatile feed markets.

Smart Feeding Systems and Feed Wastage Reduction
Feed wastage significantly contributes to economic losses in poultry farming. Smart feeding technologies help optimize feed distribution, minimize wastage, and improve feed efficiency.

Important Smart Feeding Technologies
– Automated feeding systems.
– Sensor-based feed dispensers.
– Precision feed allocation systems.
– Real-time feed intake monitoring.
– Smart silos and inventory systems.
Automated systems ensure uniform feed distribution and reduce labour dependency. Sensor technologies can detect abnormal feed consumption patterns, enabling early identification of health or management problems.

Proper feeder design, adjustment of feeder height, and prevention of feed spillage also play important roles in minimizing wastage. Even small reductions in feed wastage can substantially improve farm profitability during periods of high feed prices.

Environmental Control and Poultry House Management
Environmental management strongly influences feed intake, nutrient utilization, and overall poultry performance. Poor environmental conditions reduce growth rate, impair immunity, and worsen feed conversion efficiency.

Critical Environmental Factors
– Temperature.
– Humidity.
– Ventilation.
– Air quality.
– Lighting programs.
– Litter management.

Heat stress is particularly detrimental in tropical and subtropical poultry production systems. Birds exposed to high temperatures reduce feed intake, resulting in lower body weight gain and egg production.

Modern environmentally controlled poultry houses utilize:
– Tunnel ventilation.
– Evaporative cooling systems.
– Automated climate control.
– Smart sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring.
These systems help maintain optimal environmental conditions, improve bird comfort, and enhance feed efficiency.

Gut Health Management and Feed Efficiency
Maintaining optimal gut health is essential for efficient nutrient utilization and profitability in poultry production. Intestinal health directly affects digestion, absorption, immunity, and feed conversion efficiency.

Key Gut Health Strategies
– Probiotics.
– Prebiotics.
– Organic acids.
– Phytogenic feed additives.
– Enzymes.
– Competitive exclusion products.

The reduction in antibiotic growth promoter usage has increased the importance of alternative gut health management approaches. Healthy intestinal microflora improves nutrient digestibility and reduces disease susceptibility.

Mycotoxin management is equally critical because contaminated feed ingredients can impair gut integrity, suppress immunity, and reduce productivity. The use of toxin binders and strict feed quality control helps maintain flock performance under challenging feeding conditions.

Digital Technologies and Precision Poultry Farming
Precision poultry farming integrates digital technologies, automation, sensors, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to optimize poultry production efficiency.

Applications of Precision Poultry Farming
– Real-time flock monitoring.
– Automated mortality detection.
– Feed and water consumption analysis.
– Environmental monitoring.
– Predictive disease surveillance.
– Behavioural analysis using cameras and sensors.

Artificial intelligence-based systems can identify deviations in flock behaviour before visible clinical signs appear. Early disease detection reduces mortality losses and treatment costs.

Cloud-based management platforms allow integration of production, nutrition, health, and financial data for better decision-making. Data-driven management improves resource utilization and supports economic sustainability.

Sustainability and Climate-Resilient Poultry Production

Sustainable poultry production requires balancing economic profitability with environmental responsibility. Rising feed costs and climate-related disruptions highlight the need for resilient feeding systems and efficient resource utilization.

Important Sustainability Strategies
– Diversification of feed ingredients.
– Use of locally available feed resources.
– Circular economy approaches.
– Reduction of feed carbon footprint.
– Water conservation.
– Renewable energy utilization.

Climate-smart poultry production systems emphasize resilience against heat stress, feed shortages, disease outbreaks, and market volatility. Alternative proteins such as legumes, insect meal, algae, and agro-industrial by-products contribute to greater feed system sustainability.

The integration of smart technologies further improves resource efficiency and environmental performance.

Way Forward
Rising feed costs represent one of the most significant challenges confronting modern poultry production systems. Since soybean meal remains a major contributor to feed expenses, reducing dependency on conventional soybean-based diets has become an economic necessity for poultry producers worldwide. A wide range of alternative protein sources—including oilseed meals, legumes, agro-industrial by-products, insect meal, algae, microbial proteins, and fermented feed ingredients—offer considerable potential for reducing feed costs while maintaining productive performance.

However, successful incorporation of soymeal alternatives requires scientific feed formulation, proper ingredient processing, amino acid balancing, quality control, and strategic use of feed additives and enzymes. No single alternative ingredient can completely replace soybean meal under all production conditions; therefore, diversified and flexible feeding programs are essential.

Equally important is the adoption of smart farm management systems that improve feed efficiency and operational sustainability. Precision nutrition, automated feeding systems, environmental control technologies, gut health management, digital monitoring platforms, and artificial intelligence-based decision support systems can substantially enhance profitability during periods of volatile feed prices.

The future poultry industry will increasingly depend on the integration of alternative feed resources with precision poultry farming technologies. Producers capable of combining nutritional innovation, smart management, and sustainability-oriented practices will be better positioned to withstand economic uncertainties and maintain long-term profitability. Thus, exploring soymeal alternatives alongside intelligent farm management is not merely a temporary response to rising feed costs, but a strategic transformation toward resilient, efficient, and sustainable poultry production systems for the future.

Dr. Pawar Rutik Namdev1 (MVSc Scholar), Dr. Shipra Tiwari1 (MVSc Scholar)
1Department of Livestock Products Technology,
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, DUVASU Mathura (281001), India

Introduction
India’s poultry farming sector is one of the fastest-growing segments of agriculture, transitioning from small-scale backyard flocks to an organized, technology-driven industry. Today, India ranks as the third-largest producer of eggs and fifth-largest producer of broiler meat globally, contributing significantly to nutritional security, rural livelihoods, and export earnings. The adoption of innovative technologies and sustainable practices is the driving force behind this transformation. The convergence of automation, biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and renewable energy solutions is redefining efficiency, profitability, and animal welfare in Indian poultry production.

1. Automation and Environmental Control Systems
Modern poultry farms increasingly rely on automatic feeders, nipple drinkers, robotic cleaning systems, and conveyor-based egg collection. Climate-controlled housing systems use tunnel ventilation, cooling pads, and heating systems to maintain optimal growth conditions year-round. IoT-enabled climate controllers adjust temperature, humidity, and lighting schedules automatically. Case example: A large poultry farm in Tamil Nadu reported a 15% improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) and 12% lower mortality after adopting IoT-based environmental monitoring.

2. AI and IoT for Health and Productivity Monitoring
AI-powered surveillance systems analyze movement patterns, vocalization changes, and feeding behavior to detect early disease signs. IoT sensors track feed and water intake, body weight, and environmental parameters in real time, alerting farmers via smartphone apps. Global Insight: In Japan, smart poultry houses with AI-based monitoring achieve over 95% accuracy in predicting disease outbreaks 48–72 hours before visible symptoms appear — a model now being adapted in Indian research centers.

3. Sustainable Feeding Solutions and Waste Utilization
Feed constitutes 70% of production costs, making feed innovation a critical area. Innovations include:
– Black Soldier Fly larvae meal — high protein, produced from organic waste.
– Algal biomass — boosts omega-3 content in meat and eggs.
– Enzyme-enriched feeds — improve nutrient absorption.
– Crop residue-based feed formulations — reduce costs and waste.
Impact: Lower costs, enhanced nutritional quality, and improved environmental sustainability.

4. Vertical Integration and Supply Chain Efficiency
Leading companies like Suguna Foods, Venky’s, and Godrej Tyson operate fully integrated supply chains — controlling breeding, feed milling, hatcheries, grow-out farms, processing, cold chain logistics, and retail sales.This ensures biosecurity, quality consistency, and traceability while supporting contract farmers with inputs and technical guidance.

5. Biotechnology and Genetic Advancements
Advanced breeding programs use CRISPR-Cas9, marker-assisted selection, and QTL mapping to produce birds with higher productivity, disease resistance, and adaptability to India’s climate. Example: Dual-purpose breeds like Vanaraja and Gramapriya — developed by ICAR — thrive in rural, low-input systems while producing 180–200 eggs annually alongside quality meat.

6. Antibiotic-Free Production and Biosecurity Innovations
The shift toward antibiotic-free poultry production is gaining momentum through:
– Farm-specific vaccination programs.
– Probiotic and phytogenic additives like oregano oil and neem extracts.
– Strict biosecurity protocols — footbaths, controlled farm access, and vehicle disinfection.

7. Blockchain, RFID, and Digital Traceability
Blockchain-backed farm-to-fork tracking ensures that consumers can verify a product’s origin, quality, and safety. RFID-tagged batches enable instant recalls in case of contamination.

8. Renewable Energy and Eco-Friendly Practices
Sustainable poultry farms are implementing:
– Solar panels to power fans, lights, and heating.
– Biogas digesters to convert manure into usable energy.
– Rainwater harvesting and water recycling for operations.
Case Example: A Maharashtra farm reduced electricity costs by 40% after installing a rooftop solar plant and biogas unit.

9. Government and Institutional Support
Government initiatives such as the National Livestock Mission (NLM), Poultry Venture Capital Fund, and ICAR-led AICRP on Poultry Breeding have accelerated technology adoption. Subsidies for equipment like solar panels, hatchery automation, and cold chain infrastructure are making modernization accessible to small and medium-scale farmers.Training programs by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and state veterinary universities ensure that farmers can adopt and maintain new technologies effectively.

10. Global Best Practices and India’s Adoption
Internationally, countries like the Netherlands, the US, and Brazil have long embraced precision poultry farming — a data-driven approach that integrates AI, robotics, and real-time analytics. India is adapting these practices to local conditions and cost constraints, ensuring scalability for farms of all sizes.

11. Future Trends and Opportunities
The next wave of innovations in Indian poultry farming may include:
– Robotic farm assistants for cleaning, egg collection, and surveillance.
– Wearable health trackers for breeder birds.
– Fully automated AI-driven hatcheries for precision chick management.
– Advanced climate-resilient poultry housing to withstand extreme weather events.
– 3D imaging and AI for carcass yield optimization in processing plants.

12. Regional Success Stories: Innovation at the Grassroots
While large corporates drive vertical integration, many small and medium poultry farmers are embracing low-cost tech solutions with significant results.

– Andhra Pradesh: Farmers use low-energy tunnel ventilation systems designed by local engineering colleges, reducing summer mortality by 20%.

– Kerala: Co-operative societies invest in solar-powered incubators, enabling village-level chick production and reducing dependency on urban hatcheries.

– Punjab: Backyard poultry programs using Vanaraja and Gramapriya breeds help women farmers earn ₹15,000–₹20,000 annually from egg sales alone.
These success stories highlight that technology adoption is scalable — from backyard to industrial scale.

13. Start-Up Innovations Driving Change
India’s agri-tech start-ups are entering poultry farming with AI-driven farm management apps, e-commerce feed platforms, and precision health tools.
– Eggoz – Uses IoT-based farm monitoring for premium “antibiotic-free” eggs with QR-coded traceability.
– PoultryMon – Offers sensor-based farm health and productivity analytics.
– Kheyti – Introduces low-cost modular poultry shelters for climate-resilient small-scale farming.
Start-ups are bridging the gap between traditional farming and high-end technology, making advanced tools affordable and accessible.

14. Export Opportunities for Indian Poultry Products
India’s poultry exports (mainly hatching eggs, table eggs, and frozen chicken) have strong demand in Middle Eastern, African, and Asian markets.
Innovations in cold chain logistics, biosecurity compliance, and product quality assurance are enabling Indian producers to compete internationally.
Key Factors Boosting Export Potential:
– Adoption of Global G.A.P. certification for biosecurity and welfare.
– Processing innovations for value-added products like pre-cooked chicken.
– Government-backed export incentives under APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority).

15. Challenges and Pathways to Overcome Them
Despite progress, the sector faces challenges:
Challenges
– Feed cost volatility due to climate-driven crop fluctuations.
– Biosecurity threats from avian influenza outbreaks.
– Gaps in cold chain and logistics for rural production clusters.
– Limited financing options for small-scale modernization.
Solutions
– Development of alternative protein sources (insects, algae, single-cell proteins).
– Regional disease surveillance networks linked via AI dashboards.
– Public-private investment in cold chain and processing hubs.
– Microfinance and government-backed credit schemes for smallholder poultry farmers.

16. The Road Ahead: Towards Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Poultry Farming
The future of Indian poultry farming lies in integrating technology with inclusivity — ensuring that innovations reach small and marginal farmers alongside industrial players. With AI-driven analytics, IoT-enabled health monitoring, climate-resilient infrastructure, and renewable energy adoption, India can position itself as a global leader in sustainable poultry production.
If the sector continues on this trajectory, poultry farming in India could become:· Economically stronger – by reducing costs and increasing market access. · Environmentally responsible – through renewable energy and waste recycling.
– Socially empowering – by creating livelihoods, especially for rural women.

Conclusion
India’s poultry farming sector is undergoing a historic transformation, shifting from traditional backyard systems to a highly organized, technology-enabled, and market-oriented industry. Through automation, AI, IoT-based monitoring, sustainable feed innovations, genetic advancements, blockchain-enabled traceability, and renewable energy integration, productivity is rising while environmental impact is being reduced. Government support, institutional research, and the rise of agri-tech start-ups have accelerated technology adoption not just among large integrated players but also among small and medium-scale farmers. Regional success stories prove that innovation is scalable and adaptable to local needs.

The sector’s future lies in smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth — where advanced tools are accessible to all farmers, where poultry products meet the highest global safety and quality standards, and where exports grow alongside domestic food security. By embracing innovation while addressing challenges like feed cost volatility, biosecurity risks, and logistics gaps, India is poised to become a global leader in sustainable poultry production, delivering economic growth, environmental responsibility, and social empowerment in equal measure.

CINNAMALDEHYDE-Everything the plants have that you want- LEARNING BY DOING SCIENCE…

Deep Chand Vashishtha, – M.Sc, MBA
NSM- Bioncia International Pvt Ltd

Science is a novel practise to allow potential of ingredients or elements. It will be very helpful when it meets your requirements So well said that Learning by Doing Science…Plant bioactive compounds, such as phytochemicals, in poultry diets, are gaining popularity due to their potential antioxidant and anti-microbial activities. Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) have emerged as natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promotors and have great potential in the poultry industry. In recent years, cinnamon (one of the most widely used spices) has attracted attention from researchers as a natural product with numerous health benefits for poultry. The essential oils in cinnamon, in particular, are of interest because of their antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and hypocholesterolaemic effects, in addition to their ability to stimulate digestive enzymes in the gut.

Know Values of Poultry Industries
India Poultry Feed Market was valued at USD 3.27 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to project impressive growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 6.21% through 2030.17 Sept 2024The demand for poultry feed is expected to increase due to the country’s growing poultry production, the expanding retail and food service industry, and advancements in poultry breeding techniques. However, high feed costs may put downward pressure on demand.

CINNAMALDEHYDE
Cinnamon belongs to the genus Cinnamomum (Lauraceae family) which contains more than 250–300 aromatic evergreen shrubs and plant trees However, only a few of these species have significant economic importance worldwide as a common spice including Cinnamomum zeylanicum (C. zeylanicum: True Sri Lankan cinnamon), C. cassia (Chinese cinnamon), C. burmanni (Indonesian cinnamon) and C. loureiori (Vietnamese cinnamon). The annual production of cinnamon is around 0.23 million metric tons, mainly cultivated in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, China, India, Vietnam, and Madagascar.

Phytochemistry Of Cinnamaldehyde
Phytochemicals are plant bioactive non-nutritive compounds that are usually found in small quantities They have different classes according to their structure and include phenolic compounds, phytosterols, phytoestrogens, glucosinolates, saponins, terpenoids, protease inhibitors and organo-sulfur containing compounds. They have significant antioxidant capacity to reduce and protect oxidative stress. Cinnamon consists of various bioactive compounds. Modern analytical techniques have enabled the characterization, identification, purification and quantification of individual compounds and the study of their potent biological activities. Generally, gas chromatography is applied to characterize volatile compounds while liquid chromatography for the identification of phenolic compounds. It is documented that cinnamon consists of natural antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory components such as volatile oils, flavonoids, curcuminoids, coumarins, tannins, alkaloids, xanthones, terpenoids, phenolics and other compounds in significant amounts. The concentration of volatile compounds in cinnamon essential oil (CNO) mainly depends upon the plant parts (leaves, bark, root, stem) from which it is extracted. About forty-one volatile compounds were identified from the bark oil of cinnamon (C. cassia) tree. Cinnamaldehyde (55% to 78%) is the main flavor compound in CNO extracted from bark while eugenol (59–78%) is the main compound in CNO that is extracted from leaves. The volatile oil is approximately 0.6–1% and 1–2% phlobatannins, calcium oxalate, starch, mucilage, and mannitol (sweet) in the bark. Moreover, Kim, et al. further investigated the cinnamon bark oil through GC-MS (gas chromatography– mass spectrometry) and identified seventeen different bioactive compounds. The major bioactive compounds of cinnamon are cinnamaldehyde, cinnamate, cinnamic acid, all of which play vital roles in various biological activities. The different essential oils that have been reported in cinnamon include trans-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamyl acetate, L-borneol, L-bornyl acetate, β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, E-nerolidol, α-thujene, α-cubebene, terpinolene and α-terpine [19]. The LC-MS (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) analysis has shown that the concentrations of condensed tannins, proanthocyanidins (PAs) and epicatechin in cinnamon are 26.8%, 23.2% and 3.6%, respectively. Cinnamon has a high polyphenol content and the anthocyanidins (A and B procyanidins) are also present in cinnamon

Poultry Gut Health
Efficient immune system development and proper digestion and absorption of feed, water, and electrolyte balance in the gut leads to the development of strong gut health in poultry. The gut ecosystem plays a vital role in eliminating toxins and infectious agents from the intestinal tract of the poultry. Many factors influence the gut microbial ecosystem, including feed additives (phytobiotics, prebiotics, probiotics, feed enzymes, organic acids etc.), feed composition, genetics, heat stress, feeding practices on the poultry farm, among others. These factors exert a substantial impact on the gut microbiota and poultry health. The association between gut health and poultry performance is widely accepted with optimal health including proper physiological functions of the intestinal tract, morphological integrity, efficient immune response, developed barrier functions, energy balance, tissue metabolism, sustained inflammatory balance and sufficient microbiota to perform desired functions in the gut. The health of poultry is influenced by the structure and functionality of gut microbiota. The progression of acquisition and maturation of the intestinal microbiota throughout the growth period of the poultry has a marked impact on the modulation of physiological functions (nutrient digestion, immunity, intestinal barrier integrity etc.) to maintain gut homeostasis and development of the intestinal epithelium. These functions are essential to optimize energy use and efficiency of extraction by the poultry birds.

Impact of Cinnamon on the Digestibility of Nutrients
Improved utilization of feed improves the feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight gain (BWG) and overall health performance of broiler chicken. The stabilization of the gut microbiota ecosystem and the stimulation of digestive enzymes secretion are the two well-accepted mechanisms that play a leading role in improving feed utilization and inhibiting the growth-depressing ailments related to metabolism and digestion. The potential impacts of CNO on the secretion of digestive enzymes from the intestinal mucosa and pancreas have been described in many poultry studies. These positive impacts had been confirmed to improve the digestibility of nutrients. Additionally, the bioactive compounds of cinnamon affect lipid metabolism by transporting the fatty acids in the digestive tract of broilers. The CNO has positive effects on the secretion of digestive enzymes and improves the digestibility of nutrients in the gut.

Supplementation of CNO in broilers diet increased the villus height (VH) in the duodenum and jejunum with associated increased villus surface area and the efficiency of absorption and digestion of nutrients. In addition, a greater VH means greater mucosal digestive enzyme activity, which ultimately improves the digestibility of nutrients.
To sum up, the use of cinnamon and its bioactive compounds as feed additives in poultry diets have potent effects on antioxidant status, immunity, nutrients availability and digestibility, enzymes secretion, mucus production, gut microbiota and overall poultry health, growth performance and productivity