Innovative Technology & Practices Transforming India’s Poultry Farming Sector

Dr. Kriti Singh¹ & Dr. Prateek Jindal²

¹Ph.D. Scholar, Centre for One Health ²Assistant Professor, KVK Barnala

Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University

India’s poultry industry has emerged as a rapid-growth powerhouse within the country’s agricultural sector, where crop production registers a steady annual growth rate of 1.5 to 2 %, the poultry industry stands out as a true success story. Unlike the modest gains in crop production, the poultry sector has experienced an impressive surge, with the production of eggs and broilers skyrocketing at an astonishing rate of 8 to 10 % per annum. Today, India proudly claims its position as the world’s third-largest egg producer, marking a significant shift in the nation’s agricultural landscape. In the fiscal year 2022-23, India achieved a remarkable milestone in its poultry industry, exporting a total of 664,753.46 metric tonnes of poultry products to global markets. This substantial export volume translated into a commendable economic value, amounting to Rs. 1,081.62 Crores or

134.04 USD Million. Notably, India’s poultry exports found their way to diverse destinations worldwide, with the major export markets including Oman, Indonesia, Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan.

Over the course of four decades, this sector has undergone a remarkable transformation – evolving from a traditional backyard venture into a robust, commercially-driven agri-based industry. The poultry market in India achieved a size of INR 1,905.3 Billion in 2022 and it is anticipated to expand to INR 3,477.8 Billion by 2028, showcasing a growth rate (CAGR) of 10.18% between 2023 and 2028. Poultry meat, a key component of the surging global meat demand, is experiencing remarkable growth in India. This transformation is attributed to multiple factors, including the expanding middle class, rising incomes, and the emergence of vertically integrated poultry producers, who have not only lowered consumer prices but also streamlined production and marketing costs. Additionally, the adoption of integrated production, a significant market shift from live birds to chilled and frozen products and the implementation of policies ensuring a steady supply of competitively priced corn and soybeans has bolstered the sector’s expansion. As the Indian poultry sector further evolves, the continuous efforts aimed at upgrading, modernizing, and applying cutting- edge technologies will play pivotal roles in fostering its continued growth.

Traditional Challenges in Indian Poultry Farming

The Indian poultry industry grapples with following challenges that require innovative technology and practices for effective resolution:

• Disease outbreaks like Avian Influenza posing a substantial threat, resulting in the culling of poultry, order cancellations, and price fluctuations.
• The industry faces the pressing issue of high feed costs, which erode profit margins, making it increasingly challenging for farmers to sustain their operations.
• Resource limitations, including a shortage of veterinarians and researchers, further hinder progress, particularly in areas demanding specialized
• Limited access to international markets has restrained farmers, discouraging investments in improving poultry product quality and farming practices due to inadequate
• The majority of production stems from the unorganized sector, characterized by backyard poultry operations that often yield erratic results and financial
• The escalating use of antibiotics in poultry products contributes to long-term health concerns such as drug resistance in humans.
• A lack of comprehensive regulatory authority compounds the issue, resulting in difficulties in maintaining hygiene standards and granting licenses to
• The proximity of birds to waste and each other elevates the risk of disease transmission, particularly agents like Salmonella, posing health risks for consumers.

These multifaceted challenges emphasize the urgent need for innovative technologies and practices to transform the Indian poultry sector, including investments in infrastructure, quality control standards, and the adoption of modern processing and distribution practices.

Technological Advancements

The Indian poultry industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the imperative need for innovative technologies and automation. Poultry farms throughout the country are swiftly integrating state-of-the-art farm management systems, recognizing the pivotal role of technology in revolutionizing poultry farming to optimize productivity, improve animal welfare and enhance efficiency. These pioneering systems encompass a spectrum of automated features, including precision feeding mechanisms, cutting-edge climate control solutions, and advanced data monitoring tools.

1.      Innovations in Poultry Nutrition

Feed plays a pivotal role in poultry farming, accounting for a significant portion, nearly 70%, of the total expenses. Within this expenditure, approximately 95% is allocated to procuring energy and protein-rich feed ingredients, while the remainder is invested in minerals, vitamins, and feed additives. Among these ingredients, maize and soybean meal are the most commonly used in poultry diets, typically provided in compounded form. Recent innovations in feed ingredients have introduced transformative changes to poultry farming:

• Transgenic Feeds: Through the help of transgenesis, new transgenic feeds have been developed, offering higher quantities of essential proteins and amino acids crucial for poultry nutrition. Moreover, these feeds address the issue of anti-nutritional factors found in traditional feeds, such as canola meals with lower erucic acid content, reduced tannins, and glycosinolates, providing a more balanced diet for poultry.
• Synbiotics: In the quest to reduce dependence on antibiotics, synbiotics, comprising probiotics and prebiotics, have emerged as promising alternatives, particularly for maintaining the health of gut bacteria. Synbiotics play a vital role in enhancing the survival and activity of beneficial microorganisms in the avian gut.
• Biotechnological Amino Acids: Biotechnological techniques are now employed to produce amino acids that may be limited in conventional feed ingredients. These amino acids are synthesized within microorganisms like yeast through their metabolic processes, by the incorporation of specific genes into their genomes. Additionally, trace minerals such as zinc, manganese, chromium, selenium, and copper can also be generated by these microorganisms, ushering in new possibilities for poultry

2.  Genetic Selection and Modification Techniques

The utilization of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) is a valuable tool for selecting the most suitable sire and dam for the next generation in poultry breeding. QTLs represent groups of genes within the bird’s DNA that are closely associated with specific traits of interest, such as body weight gain in broilers. This method is particularly useful for traits that involve multiple genes within the DNA, resulting in continuous variable characteristics. The identification of these genes related to our target traits is achieved through microarray analysis, a process involving the examination of meticulously arranged microscopic slides containing samples from various animals. This technique enables the tracking of profitable traits at the DNA level.

To introduce new traits or mitigate the malfunctioning of specific genes in poultry strains, various advanced processes are employed today. These techniques encompass transgenesis, gene knockdown, RNA interference (RNAi), proteomics, nanotechnology, epigenetics, in-ovo approaches, and the cutting-edge CRISPR gene editing technology. These methods facilitate the incorporation of novel characteristics that may not naturally exist within the poultry population.

Furthermore, advancements in gene editing technologies offer the potential to enhance poultry performance even in challenging climatic conditions. For instance, strains like the naked neck poultry have been developed to withstand heat stress by incorporating single genes that reduce or modify feathering, effectively improving their resilience to temperature extremes.

3.  Innovative Disease Control Strategies

Following feed costs, health expenses constitute a significant portion of the operational expenditure in poultry farming. Diseases such as Bird Flu and Fowl Pox have the potential to rapidly spread throughout an entire flock, leading to the devastating loss of all birds on a farm. Therefore, maintaining the health of the birds is a paramount concern for ensuring profitable poultry farming.

Typically, the all-in and all-out strategy is employed in poultry farming, where after selling each bird in a flock, a new batch is introduced to the facility. When new birds are introduced, especially in breeding or other stocks, rigorous quarantine measures are implemented. Adherence to biosecurity measures is crucial to safeguard the health of the birds.

Modern strategies for disease management in poultry farming encompass immediate treatment for various diseases, accompanied by a thorough investigation into the underlying causes to implement effective preventative measures. Post-mortem examinations of deceased birds and epidemiological studies of diseases are essential components of this process. Identifying whether the disease is caused by a known infectious pathogen strain or a newly evolved strain is equally critical. Based on these findings, appropriate treatments or preventive measures can be applied to protect the poultry farm.

Investing in training for farm personnel, developing infrastructure for disease diagnosis, and facilitating information sharing regarding emerging diseases play pivotal roles in the poultry farm’s disease control strategy. The creation of disease-free zones around poultry farms, achieved through stringent biosecurity measures, is instrumental in combating diseases like Bird Flu. Additionally, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying spatial data, can aid in developing disease prevention programs tailored to specific geographic regions, in conjunction with vaccination programs.

4.  Poultry Housing Innovations

Poultry housing plays a crucial role in the poultry farming industry, encompassing both the physical facilities where birds are housed and the equipment employed in poultry farming. Here are some notable innovations in the realm of poultry housing:

• Automated Environmental Control: Modern poultry farms are adopting automatic control systems equipped with automated showers and cooling pads. These systems are designed for easy cleaning and disinfection. The utilization of fluid LED lights plays a pivotal role in establishing an optimal environment for hens in poultry These lights not only provide illumination but also generate essential heat, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere within the chicken coops and nesting boxes. Moreover, the well-lit environment enhances surveillance and management capabilities on the poultry farm.
• Automated chain feeders: The implementation of automated chain feeders can revolutionize the process of feed distribution within the facility by eliminating the necessity for manual scattering of As a result, the entire circuit can be effortlessly circulated within a matter of minutes, reducing the extent of human intervention required.

• Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring: To monitor the levels of ammonia and carbon dioxide within poultry farms, specialized digital air quality monitors are utilized. These devices provide real-time readings of these gases within the bird housing facility, serving to prevent gas-related toxicity that can negatively impact bird
• Enhanced Water Systems: Innovative water systems are designed to keep water uncontaminated by preventing the ingress of dirt, faeces, and other pollutants into the automatic drinking This not only helps prevent water wastage but also reduces the risk of waterborne diseases among the flock.
• Efficient Manure Management: In layer farming, a specialized moving belt system is employed for the collection of Subsequently, the manure undergoes palletization, a process that further stabilizes the material and reduces dust in the poultry farm. This approach contributes to maintaining hygienic conditions within the facility.

5.  Precision Livestock Farming

Precision livestock farming (PLF) is a transformative approach that involves the continuous, automated monitoring of inputs and outputs in livestock production, generating real-time data that has a profound impact on the health and well-being of animals. Monitoring and documenting conditions that directly influence bird welfare, such as temperature, humidity, bird comfort, and distribution, are fundamental indicators of poultry health. State-of-the-art PLF systems are equipped with an array of sensors and cameras, enabling the continuous monitoring of critical parameters, including bird behavior, feed consumption, water intake, bird distribution and various vital signs. By analyzing this wealth of data in real-time, these advanced systems possess the capability to swiftly identify deviations from normal patterns or early signs of illness. Innovative audio analytic software employs machine learning techniques to identify and diagnose respiratory diseases such as Infectious Bronchitis (IB) and Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) by analyzing the audio signals produced by the birds. This proactive detection empowers farm managers to take immediate action, effectively containing the spread of diseases and upholding the overall health of poultry.

In addition to monitoring bird-related parameters, PLF systems can also be harnessed to meticulously track the ambient conditions within broiler sheds. This includes real-time monitoring of factors such as temperature, humidity, air speed, and CO2 levels, all of which can be conveniently observed and managed through smartphones, tablets, and personal computers.

6.  Robotic Automation

The introduction of automated systems has brought about a revolutionary shift in the operations such as egg collection, substantially diminishing the requirement for manual labour and, consequently, elevating operational efficiency. One noteworthy innovation in this domain is the Gohbot, a poultry house robot equipped with imaging sensors and machine learning capabilities. This intelligent robot navigates the poultry house floors adeptly, with the ability to detect and collect floor- laid eggs.

7.  Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the poultry industry by offering a comprehensive solution to address food safety and transparency concerns. Major players in the food industry, including Walmart, Unilever, Nestle, and others, have partnered with IBM to leverage blockchain technology for securing digital records and closely monitoring supply chain management. This technology ensures traceability of poultry products from their origins with farmers and producers to processors and distributors, all the way to the store shelves. By providing an integrated view of operational data, blockchain enables detailed tracing of finished products throughout the entire value chain. This level of transparency enhances food safety and builds trust among consumers by ensuring the quality and authenticity of poultry products.

Conclusion

 The Indian poultry sector is experiencing a significant transformation driven by the widespread adoption of technology and automation. These innovations are not merely changing traditional practices; they are revolutionizing the way poultry farming operates in the country. The incorporation of cutting-edge technologies has brought about improvements in efficiency, productivity, and disease management. This commitment to innovation underscores the industry’s determination to remain at the forefront of agricultural progress. As the poultry sector in India continues to evolve, embracing technology and automation is crucial for ensuring its sustainable growth. With these advancements, the future of poultry farming in India appears promising, offering solutions to overcome challenges and meet the ever-growing demand for poultry products while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

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Innovative Technology & practice transforming India’s poultry farming Sectors

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