As part of a Nuffield Scholarship, 12 scholars participated in a five-week ‘Global Focus Program’ world tour to develop understanding of local and international agricultural and livestock best practice and meet with progressive businesses, organisations and government officials. This delegation of 12 scholars from 10 countries touried Canada, Scotland, Italy, Spain, Australia and visitrd India along with Ms. Parminder Kaur. During Nuffield Scholars visit to Delhi, the group had good interaction with Poultry Federation of India Team followed by visit to Khushboo Feed Mills Pvt. Ltd., and Khushboo Broiler EC Farms near Gurgaon. Nuffield scholars group interacted with Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, Vice President (HQ), PFI and Managing Director, Khushboo Feed Mills Pvt. Ltd. During the feed mill visit, the team members also had good interaction with Mr. Rajeev Gupta, Director and Mr. Harsh Gupta, Director and Mr. Ashish Gupta, VP, Khushboo Feed Mills Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Ricky Thaper, Joint Secretary, Poultry Federation of India briefed the delegation about current scenario of Poultry Industry in India and shared the poultry figures. The group asked several questions related to Indian poultry and livestock sector, which were answered by Mr. Sanjeev Gupta and Mr. Ricky Thaper. The delegation appreciated the modernisation and the growth of the Indian poultry sector.
In this group of 12 scholars from 10 countries, Mr. Jon Pemberton from New Zealand is a dairy farmerand sector leader with a strong interest in governance, environmental stewardship, andthe future of rural communities. Dr. Jonathan Richetti, from Australia is exploring how data driven modelling can improve agricultural decision-making under increasing climate variability. Ms. Trudi Oxley from Australia is researching ways to build soil organic matter in tropical environments. Ms. Trudi and her family operate Oxley Grazing, which runs 1,500 breeders across 17,000 hectares of owned and 26,000 hectares of leased land, supplying steers to the live export market. Mr. Ruben Exterkate from The Netherlands, is focused on how pig farmers can adapt to societal expectations while maintaining a viable, future-proof business model. Mr. Ruben and his family run an organic pig farm with 220 sows and 500 finishers, supplying premium meat to the De Groene Weg organic chain. Mr. Lucas Ingold from Brazil, is an agronomist and rancher. He manages his family’s livestock operation, which is integrated into a crop-livestock production system, balancing productivity with environmental stewardship. Ms. Beth Goodwin from Zimbabwe, is an ecologist and seed specialist with a passion for reforestation and practical innovation. With a diverse background that includes work in plant nurseries, seed banks, reforestation projects and education. Ms. Jenny Matthiesen from Germany, is a plant breeding scientist specialising in organic agriculture. Mr. Shoshiro Yamamoto from Japan is the founder of a thriving plum farming and processing enterprise in Japan. For the past five years, he has managed a 100,000 square meter plum farm, producing premium-quality Umeboshi, a traditional Japanese pickled plum. Mr. George Mailat, from Romania, is a third generation farmer managing a 200-hectare farm in central Romania, where he grows wheat, barley, corn, rapeseed, alfalfa, oats & beans. Ms. Emma Canepa from California, USA, is exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance precision agriculture and improve on-farm decision-making. Mr. Ignacio Jose Lopez Cruzat from Chile, manages a company that sells agricultural materials and inputs while assisting his father with their family’s hazelnut orchard. Mr. Tyson Cattle from Australia, has built a career as a journalist, editor, and industry advocate, and now works in a major agribusiness, focusing on agricultural representation and policy.
Discussions during the meeting were on strengthening collaboration to advance India’s poultry sector. It was highlighted that in future Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools would Drive and Sustain the Growth of the Indian Poultry Sector in the Next Decade.