Sandeep Gupta*, Mukesh Mehta and Jayashri
Poultry industry is the fastest growing livestock industry in India and is further expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% in the forecast period of 2024-2032. This requires scientific advances in the fields of poultry nutrition, health, bird genetics, feed safety and advanced processing technologies. At present a platform which can provide on-site collaboration for conducting ideal scientific trials is lacking. There is a wide gap between research institutes and the industry. The LSDA will fill this gap and will provide the ideal research facilities. Because of shortage of standard research facilities, the participation of research fellows at international plate form is low. The LSDA will provide such facilities. LSDA also aims at offering knowledge by conducting programs, training courses, workshops and short-term courses for skill development. The facilities available in LSDA are Housing with HVAC facility, chemical and microbiological analysis facilities, feed pelleting facilities. With all such facilities of an ideal Research Centre for poultry, LSDA welcomes all the young professionals and researchers across the nation. The aim of collaboration between research institutes and private organizations in the fields of poultry research can lead to comprehensive and impactful outcomes.
Introduction
Over the decades, the India poultry market has undergone significant transformation, and the region has emerged as one of the major sectors of the economy. The Indian poultry market size reached a value of USD 30.46 billion in 2023. The industry is further expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% in the forecast period of 2024-2032 to reach a value of approximately USD 61.41 billion by 2032. This continuous expansion in poultry production and the demand for poultry products require scientific advances in poultry nutrition, health, bird genetics, feed safety and advanced processing technologies. The poultry sector has the potential to grow faster as a result of enabling factors such as population growth, breeding of highly productive strains of meat-and egg-type birds, improvements in consumers’ incomes, and modern technologies for processing feed/poultry products (Dei, H. K. 2021).
Livestock Scientific Development Association (LSDA) featuring advanced technologies and leading-edge equipment, this innovation provides a venue for on-site collaboration for conducting ideal scientific trials, conduct programs, training courses and workshops on poultry management (broiler, layer, breeder and feed mill technology). LSDA is going to be the first association in the world to provide R & D facility having Heat Ventilation Air Control (HVAC) system for poultry. It is an association of Institutes (Research Institutes and Veterinary Universities), Scientists, poultry experts, Organizations (Breeder, Layer, Broiler Farmers, Integrators and Feed Millers) and Companies (Medicine and Feed Additive Companies). LSDA serves as a bridge between scientists, organizations, companies and institutes, facilitating collaborations, innovation and knowledge exchange.
The need of this platform in India
Animal nutrition is a broad field that goes beyond the major ingredients and performance parameters that most Indian institutes focus on. Nutritional studies rely very much on the other studies (chemical, physical, immunological, biochemical, behavioral, physiological, microbiological, molecular, statistical and genetics) and often studied in an integrated way.There are many other aspects of animal nutrition that are researched globally, such as the amount and digestibility of trace minerals, vitamins, amino acids and other micro ingredients. However, there are only few institutes have facility to conduct trials on these micro ingredients in India. Human food safety is also compromised with the acceptable levels of pesticide, toxins, heavy metals in feed ingredients.
One of the challenges faced by the industry is the lack of adequate research data. This hinders the development and innovation of new products and services that can meet the market demands. Therefore, it is essential to foster a closer collaboration between the industry and the institutes to share and exchange relevant research data as per the needs of the industry. Most of the MNCs share data from their home country and work with local institutes to evaluate the scientific validity of their products. However, there is no clear guidelines or requirement for Indian institute to approve their products for the Indian market.
Functions of LSDA
The LSDA is mainly established with a purpose of collaborating with scientists, organizations, companies and institutes to advance poultry and livestock research in India. It helps to promote scientific experiments of commercial products in Indian institutes and share the results with relevant stakeholders. It promises to provide scientific data of Indian institutes to companies and organizations that support poultry and livestock research. It facilitates the access to the facilities and equipment for conducting ideal scientific trials in various institutes and establishes a central laboratory for data analysis and quality assurance of poultry and livestock research. Along with the research and studies, it encourages Indian Veterinary Students to pursue poultry and livestock researches, provides scholarships and opportunities to the young budding veterinary professionals. It awards the best research work in poultry and livestock science and helps to publish it in high-impact international journals to showcase Indian poultry and dairy veterinarians at international platforms and foster global partnerships. LSDA provides research data to poultry scientists, organizations and companies for evidence-based decision making.
LSDA also aims at offering knowledge by conducting programs, training courses, workshops and short-term courses for skill development by using facilities about broiler, layer, breeder research, lab analysis program and pellet feed mill operation. All the programs are customized for up-skilling the early professionals and re-skilling program for experienced professionals, farmers and students. Global collaboration in the poultry industry is essential for addressing challenges, sharing knowledge, and promoting sustainable practices.
Facilities available at LSDA
The LSDA is located in Indore. Madya Pradesh. LSDA aims to provide an environment to maximize flock performance, achieving optimum and uniform growth rate and feed efficiency in meat yield while ensuring that bird health and welfare are not compromised. LSDA follows guideline for poultry facility by CPCSEA, 2020.
The fast growing, modern broiler lines are more dependent on proper environmental conditions. LSDA house has the capacity to house 840 birds, dedicated for broilers, layers and breeders. It contains 84 adjustable pens/blocks to accommodate 10 experimental birds in each pen and the pen can be further adjusted according to the design of the experiment (20 birds/pen, 30 birds/pen etc). The R&D house is equipped with automatic feeders and drinkers in each pen. It also offers an opportunity to conduct trials through water soluble supplements.
Heat Ventilation Air Control (HVAC) System
HVAC system plays a vital role in creating conducive environment for poultry research, influencing factors such as temperature, humidity, oxygen, carbon di oxide, ammonia, air quality and overall bird health. Maintaining optimal temperature is crucial for poultry health and productivity. HVAC system regulates temperature, prevents extremes that can cause stress to the birds. It also helps to controls humidity levels and helps to prevent the issues related to respiratory problems and moisture related diseases. Good ventilation ensures a continuous supply of fresh air, reducing the concentration of airborne contaminants and lowers the risk of disease transmission.
Ventilation system helps to eliminate ammonia produced by waste and creates a healthier environment for poultry. Reduced ammonia levels lead to better air quality and contribute to the bird’s overall well-being. HVAC system filters out dust and airborne particles. Odor control is essential for both poultry and workers, creating a more pleasant and sanitary environment.HVAC system provides the flexibility to adjust conditions during extreme weather, ensuring the wellbeing of poultry in both hot and cold seasons. Proper climate control contributes to increased productivity, reduced disease risks and improved overall efficiency in poultry houses.
Feed Pelleting Mill
LSDA is equipped with a feed pelleting mill with a capacity to produce pellets at 150kg per hour and crumbler for the production of crumbles. This helps in the formulation of experimental diet for trial birds.
Lab Facility
LSDA provides a sophisticated and advanced lab facility including microbiological, wet chemistry and instrument section for testing of samples obtained from poultry research experiments, feed and feed supplements. LSDA is equipped with sophisticated instruments, such as HPLC, GCMS MS, LCMS MS, ICP MS, etc., to analyse pesticides, dioxins, heavy metals, antibiotics, amino acids, vitamins, etc. in food and feed samples. LSDA laboratory is one of the most advanced in the country in the field of food and feed analysis.
LSDA has one of the first R&D centres in India with such advanced features and capabilities, and it strives to contribute to the growth and development of the poultry industry in India. The project seeks to enhance the research and development capacity of the Indian livestock industry by conducting rigorous experiments in the Indian context.
Researches to be conducted at LSDA
Research and developments in poultry play a pivotal role for sustainable industrial growth. LSDA offers an opportunity to conduct various experiments and trials to the needy professionals, institutes and organizations. With a state of art research facility at LSDA, it offers to conduct nutritional, environmentally sustainable, economically viable and many more experiments.
Nutritional trials; Nutritional trials like formulation of balanced diet for poultry to optimize growth, egg production and overall health performances. Research to find an alternative feed sources for sustainable production. Studies on impact of various nutrients, additives and supplements on bird’s health and productivity.
Health and disease control studies; LSDA helps in testing of new vaccines and drugs to prevent and treat common chicken diseases. Strategies for disease prevention, biosecurity measures to minimize disease transmission on farms and Genetic resistance to diseases through selective breeding program.
Environmental Sustainability; Studies for sustainable farming practices that reduce the environmental footprint of poultry production including efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve waste management and optimize resource use.
Alternative Poultry Production; Implementing environment friendly practices in chicken farming, such as reducing water and energy consumption. Researches for the search of alternative methods of chicken production like free-range, organic, and pasture-raised systems.
Economic Viability; Analyzing the economic aspects of poultry production including cost analysis, profitability, and market competitiveness. Identifying strategies to enhance the financial sustainability of chicken production.
Consumer Preferences studies; Researches based on consumer preferences and trends related to chicken products, such as organic, free-range, or antibiotic-free options and helping farmers to adapt their production methods to market demands.
Conclusion
The progress in nutritional research is made possible by several advanced techniques that have been developed and tested by numerous researchers both in academia and industry. The appropriateness of any techniques, technology or study to be used depends on the facilities available at the research site and the cost involved. Also, there is a need to maintain balance between research that may have future usefulness (fundamental research) and that which may be used immediately (applied or practical research) through application of scientific innovations. LSDA has come with a purpose to serve the industry, professionals, formers and young entrepreneurs. With all the facilities of an ideal Research Centre for poultry, LSDA welcomes all the young professionals and researchers across the nation. The aim of collaboration between organizations and research institutes in the fields of poultry research can lead to comprehensive and impactful outcomes.