Poultry farming refers to the raising of domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys commercially for the purpose of meat production or egg laying. The poultry industry has seen tremendous growth over the past few decades and offers promising opportunities for entrepreneurs. This article provides an overview of the different aspects of poultry farming.
Profitability and Demand
Poultry farming can prove to be a highly profitable business venture. There is robust and growing demand for poultry products both domestically as well as globally. According to statistics, India is the third largest egg producer and fourth largest chicken meat producer in the world. The availability of cheap labor and infrastructure makes India an ideal destination for poultry production.
The profit margins in poultry are sizable due to affordability of raw materials like corn and soybean that account for 60-70% of production cost. Proper farm management, timely vaccination and adoption of disease prevention practices can ensure 95% survival rate of chicks leading to higher output. Return on investment from a commercial poultry operation ranges from 15-20% with the potential to reach 30-40% depending on scale of operation.
Types of Poultry Farming
There are mainly two types of Poultry farming - commercial (broiler) farming and layer (egg) farming. Broiler farming involves raising meat type chickens like the Cornish-Rock cross breed for around 35-40 days until they reach marketable weight of 1.5-1.8 kg. Layer farming specializes in raising indigenous chicken breeds for commercial egg production over 2-3 years.
Ducks and geese are also farmed commercially, though on a smaller scale, primarily for their meat. Turkey farming is another lucrative segment due to high demand during festive seasons. Farmers can choose to diversify into one or more types of poultry based on their resources, skillset and regional market needs. Integrated contract farming model where large corporations outsource production is also gaining popularity.
Infrastructure Requirements
Setting up a commercial poultry farm requires investment in infrastructure such as farm buildings to house the birds, feed storage structures, water supply arrangement, manure/litter handling system and administrative facilities.
broiler shed should provide atleast 0.5-0.75 sqft space per bird and have facilities like feeders, drinkers, controlled ventilation system. For layers, cages or deep litter system with nests and perches are common housing methods.
Other basic facilities that need consideration include power backup, office, labour quarters, roads for vehicle movement and waste treatment system. Choice of construction material, technology fittings can optimize initial investment as well running costs. Attention to biosecurity protocols help prevent disease outbreak.
Farm Management
Efficient farm management practices encompass all activities from procurement of quality chicks/birds, feeding as per standards, vaccination & disease control, waste disposal, record keeping to harvesting and marketing.
Key steps involve selecting a suitable breed, ordering right quantity of day-old-chicks from certified hatchery, providing balanced ration as per bird's growth stages from starter to finisher feed and meeting daily dietary requirements.
Timely medication program and strict sanitation routines are critical to avoid common poultry ailments. Periodic performance assessment, culling non-productive stock and compliance to statutory norms are also important.
Marketing and Value Addition
Wholesale selling to traders and retailers is the standard marketing approach for most poultry producers. However, value addition through packaging, processing and brand building can fetch substantially higher returns.
Options worth exploring are converting egg production into specialized products like pasteurized egg powder, mayonnaise, pasta; further processing chicken/meat into value-cuts, ready-to-cook items or mechanically de-boned meat. Setting up collection and distribution network helps maintain continuity in supply chain.
Promoting one's farm brand gives better price control. Tapping institutional buyers, export opportunities and diversifying into allied segments increases profitability. Adoptinglatest production and packaging technologies enhances competitiveness.
Incentives and Support Measures
The Indian government provides various incentives and subsidies for entrepreneurs interested in poultry farming. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana scheme, financial assistance up to Rs.10 crore is available for setting up new broiler or pullet rearing farm projects.
Some state governments offer capital subsidy of 25-35% of project cost for poultry farms. Concessions include interest subvention on term loans, tax holidays, market development assistance and import duty waivers on equipment/vaccines.
Specialized credit lines from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for infrastructure creation are another boon for farmers. Several agri-business incubation centres provide mentorship, seed funding and technology handholding support. Various skills development programs too are conducted to train youth in latest poultry practices.
Conclusion
To sum up, poultry farming can emerge as a financially rewarding agricultural activity. With appropriate investment, management know-how and adherence to quality standards, it is possible to achieve scalable and sustainable growth over the long run. Increased processed meat consumption,exports to middle-east and evolving food habits in India indicate strong potential for expansion of poultry sector in coming years. Integrating latest innovations will allow industry players to streamline operations and improve competitiveness globally.
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