Legend Series – 29 Mr. Gurdip Singh

1. Are you originally from Karnal?

I was born and spent my early childhood in a small town called Arifwala in District Montgomery now in Pakistan. Rehabilitation Department set up by Govt. of India earmarked and alotted District Ferozpur to settle all “refugee” from District Montgomery. But, as my father was a prominent politician & well connected so Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan Prime Minister of Pakistan exchanged property with my father so we came and occupied Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan’s property in Karnal. Since then we are happily settled in Karnal.

2. What is the best thing you liked in your Journey?

After Arifwala I did my schooling from The Lawrence School Sanawar, the oldest residential co-educational public school in India. I did my B.Sc. in Agriculture & was farming 214 acres alotted to us as 5% compensation of our land holdingleft in Pakistan. As agriculture returns were meager—without Dr. Norman Borlang’s Mexican wheat or American hybrid corn so I started with 5000 New Hampshire chicks from Govt. Poultry Farm, Gurdaspur. Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Company USA, the international leaders in corn & sorghum, who owned Hy-Line layers & India Rivers Broilers Company posted Dr. T.W. Millen in India to survey & find a suitable partner to expand and promote their business in India. Dr. Millen, who was familiar with India, spent over a whole year touring, meeting prospective partners before narrowing down on three parties including Singh.Subsequently, I signed the first poultry & seed breeding collaboration with USA company which was approved by Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Cooperation, Govt. of India. There was no looking back as we decided to set up one Associate Hatchery in each State. This enabled us to capture 70% of all India market & we sold 2.5 million Hy-Line chicks in 1971. This distribution system was the best thing that happened both for our company & our country.

3. Why you chose the Poultry/Livestock profession?

I chose poultry & agriculture as my profession because I come from the background of being a landlord now “Land less Lord.”

4. As compared to other big players in the industry, how is your organization different?

There was SB Saran, operating from Talegaon with Abor Acres from USA, Rani Nehra from Gurgaon with Shaver from Canada & Harinder Katyal from Delhi with Unichix from Czechoslovakia,Gurdip Singh got down to business. Driven by desire to share his success and popularise poultry in every nook and corner of the country, first, he set out to create a network of  18 associate hatcheries, one in every state (then there were only 18 states in the country). Parent stock was leased to these partners and these farms in turn produced and marketed commercial chicks in the respective areas assigned to them. The amazing response to the Hy-Line breed giving 260 eggs against 60 eggs of the desi breed was well most welcomed. In this way Hy-Line soon had 70% of the all India market share.Singh shared, “Setting up of associate hatcheries was a unique and novel experience. With it we had regular reporting of short/surplus chicks which we organized as required.” Regular day schools were organized all over the country with foreign and local technicians. Annual Associate Hatchery meetings were organized at different locations to boost local poultry. The best all round Associate Hatchery every year was presented the coveted silver Hy-Line Challenge Trophy.In additions Hi-Bred India sponsored its staff and its associate representatives training in USA. Hi-Bred India also took associates to international poultry events to further exposure. “Eight of us went to Spain in 1970 to attend the World Poultry Congress.” Hi-Bred India also sponsored 30 representatives to Egg & Poultry Show in at Atlanta, USA and a tour of USA and Hy-Line facilities for 30 days.Another first was executing marketing plans for promotions in India. Hi-Bred India arranged for Egg promotions by brochures, leaflets; beautifully illustrated and designed which were freely distributed at every opportunity. Big success came when Aleque Padamsee’s jingle played on 18 stations of All India Radio regularly at 8 am every morning. Hi-Bred India exported Hy-Line Chicks regularly as far as Hong Kong in the East and Greece in the West. Govt. of USA celebrated their bicentenary year in 1976 by organizing The World Food Congress. They invited representatives from 70 countries. Gurdip Singh was one of the only representatives to be invited from India to be the panelist at The World Food Congress.

5. Please tell us about your family?

Our Company was the first to introduce feather sexing in commercial layers. However, vent sexing was necessary when dealing with parent stock. My wife was the first to learn vent sexing from Dr. T.W. Millen—his comment after the first 2 months “you are faster & more accurate than I am.” Our twin sons also got actively involved in the poultry business and travelled abroadall over.

6. What you have dreamt for the next generation who enter the poultry business?

I would emphasize the need of integrity, resilience, and foresight. Without integration sustained progress maybe hard to achieve.

6. What is your favorite eatery food?

I am a non-vegetarian and savor the taste of good cooking. Specially fond of, soul fish and prawns.

8. What are your Hobbies?

I am a keen philatelist. Love travelling and meeting people.

9. Anything you would like to add?

I am intrinsically involved with secondary and higher education in the country. I have been on the Board of Governors of six different schools and one reputed College. I am deeply indebted to my family and friends who have over the many long years stood by me in the hour of joy & sorrow.