Why poultry welfare in India and their Scope?

Dr Chandan Kumar

Associate Professor,  DUVASU, Mathura (UP)

Email– vetchanda@gmail.com

The poultry industry plays a crucial role in food production and economic development both in India and world. India is the third-largest egg producer in the world, after China and the United States, which contributes significantly to the agricultural GDP and provides livelihoods to millions, especially in rural areas. India rank among the top five producers of poultry meat globally. Consumption has also risen due to dietary shifts towards protein-rich foods and urbanization.

However limited cold chain facilities and processing units affect quality and distribution poultry products. Outbreaks of diseases like avian influenza can have a significant impact on the poultry market, affecting consumer confidence and leading to temporary market disruptions. Ensuring bio-security and adhering to health and safety standards is crucial for market stability.

 Other important things which might be of great concerns the price of maize and soybean increases day by day due to alterative use of these feed ingredients like ethanol production from maize and various byproducts prepared from soybean respectively. This will not only put pressure on poultry industry but government also.

The quality and standards of poultry meat in India is still a biggest challenge as of now people of India looking for quality and hygienic meat, they will ready to pay more for quality products, which is reflected in the presence of outlet of big foreign brand like KFC, Mac Donald, etc in India. 

India has been gradually increasing its poultry product exports, including both meat and eggs. Key export destinations are Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Export growth is supported by competitive pricing, improving infrastructure, and adherence to international quality and safety standards. Looking ahead, the India poultry market is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% during the forecast period of 2024-2032. This growth is expected to be driven by ongoing urbanization, changing dietary habits, and a growing awareness of the health benefits associated with poultry consumption. By 2032, the market size is anticipated to reach approximately USD 61.41 billion, reflecting the industry’s strong potential for further expansion and development.

By advocating welfare in poultry, investing in technology of meat and eggs processing sustainability, and consumer education, India can strengthen its position in the global poultry market while ensuring economic viability and ethical standards. In India issues around poultry welfare and intensive farming practices need attention.

Poultry welfare in India has been witnessing notable trends and developments in recent year’s like–

1. Increased Awareness and Consumer Demand: There is a growing consumer awareness regarding animal welfare issues, including poultry. This has led to increased demand for products from farms that adhere to higher welfare standards.
2. Regulatory Initiatives: The government and regulatory bodies are increasingly recognizing the importance of poultry welfare. Efforts are being made to implement and enforce standards that ensure humane treatment of birds throughout their lifecycle.
3. Technological Advancements: Adoption of technology in poultry farming, such as improved housing systems, automated feeding, and monitoring systems, has the potential to enhance welfare conditions by providing better control over environmental factors and health management.
4. Education and Training: Stakeholders across the poultry supply chain are being trained on best practices for animal welfare. This includes farmers, veterinarians, and poultry owners, aiming to improve handling and management practices.
5. Certification and Labeling: Certification schemes and labels that indicate adherence to welfare standards are gaining traction. This helps consumers make informed choices and incentivizes producers to adopt better welfare practices.
6. Animal Welfare: Increasing awareness and consumer demand for ethically produced poultry products may drive improvements in animal welfare standards across the industry.

In India, standards for the poultry industry are primarily developed and regulated by several key bodies, focusing on various aspects of poultry farming and welfare.

Here are some of the standards and regulations developed for the poultry industry in India:

1. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960: This national legislation lays down guidelines for the humane treatment of animals, including poultry. It prohibits cruelty and outlines basic welfare requirements.
2. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): BIS develops standards for poultry products and farming practices. These standards cover aspects such as hygiene, quality control, and safety of poultry products.
3. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): FSSAI sets regulations for the safety and quality of poultry products, including processing and handling standards to ensure consumer safety.
4. National Institute of Animal Welfare (NIAW): NIAW, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, focuses on promoting animal welfare, including developing guidelines and standards specific to poultry welfare.
5. Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI): AWBI advises the government on matters related to animal welfare, including poultry. It promotes guidelines and standards aimed at improving the welfare of poultry birds throughout their lifecycle.
6. Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO): CPDO, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, works towards improving poultry production and welfare through research, training, and dissemination of best practices.
7. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): These practices encompass guidelines for sustainable and welfare-friendly farming practices, including poultry farming, to ensure environmental sustainability and animal welfare.

These standards and regulations are continually updated and revised to align with evolving scientific knowledge, technological advancements, and international best practices. They aim to ensure that the poultry industry in India operates sustainably, responsibly, and with due consideration for animal welfare and consumer safety.  The key players in the India poultry industry includes: • IB Group, Suguna Foods Private Limited, • Skylark Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd,, Venky’s (India) Limited, Srinivasa Farms,  Bharati Poultry Pvt. Limited, RM Hatcheries, The KEGG FARMS, MD integrated Farms, • Kadkanath Agro World etc not only fulfill the demand of domestic consumptions, some of the them export their products as well. If we emphasis and start working on the poultry welfare, genetics and use of some of the local promised breeds of poultry like Kadaknath, Asseel, Naked neck etc which is not only climatic resilient birds but have potential to generate employment among urban and rural people of India, If we start emphasis on welfare of  broiler birds and layer birds things will change  and we can able attract people of other countries also. 

Looking ahead, several prospects can shape the future of poultry welfare in India:

1. Research and Innovation: Continued research into welfare-friendly farming practices and technologies will likely lead to further improvements in poultry welfare standards.
2. Policy Development: Strengthening and expanding regulatory frameworks focused on animal welfare can ensure consistent enforcement and encourage industry-wide compliance.
3. Consumer Influence: As consumer preferences evolve towards ethical and sustainable products, there will be increased pressure on the industry to adopt higher welfare standards.
4. International Standards and Trade: Aligning with global welfare standards can enhance India’s competitiveness in the international market and ensure compliance with import requirements.
5. Collaboration and Awareness: Collaborative efforts between government, industry, and animal welfare organizations will be crucial in promoting and achieving higher standards of poultry welfare.

 In summary, while challenges remain, such as balancing welfare improvements with economic considerations, the trajectory of poultry welfare in India shows promise. Continued efforts across education, regulation, and technological advancements can lead to a more humane and sustainable poultry industry in the country. Overall, while the poultry industry in India faces various challenges, including disease management, feed costs, and regulatory compliance, strategic investments in technology, sustainability, and quality assurance can pave the way for a resilient and thriving future.

Some of the key facts related to welfare of poultry

Poultry welfare is nothing but to understand the specific “needs’ of poultry and how these needs may be fulfilled by the environment where they live?  This is all about to understand the behavior of poultry like sentience/natural behaviour, dust bathing, perching and roosting, scratching and foraging, nesting, social behaviour and according to their good behaviour and vices (feather pecking, cannibalism, vent pecking)  enriched their environment so that they can perform better which not only protect their health which is good for industry in terms of economic viability but also good for the health of human being and overall the product we get is of high quality standards.