Organic livestock (Poultry & Dairy) production: an emerging opportunity in India

Organic livestock(Poultry & Dairy) production: an emerging opportunity in India

 

The first ‚scientific‛ approach to organic farming can be quoted back to the Vedas of the ‚Later Vedic Period‛, 1,000 BC to 600 BC. The essence is to live in partnership with, rather than exploit, nature. The ‚Vrikshayurveda‛ (Science of plants), the ‚Krishishastra‛ (Science of agriculture), and the ‚Mrigayurveda‛ (Animal science) are the main works. Animal Husbandry is an integral part of farming practice. However, within this system ‚livestock shall mean any domestic or domesticated animal including bovine (including buffalo and bison), ovine, porcine, caprine, equine, poultry and bees raised for food or in the production of food.‛ Organic animal husbandry is defined as a system of livestock production that promotes the use of organic and biodegradable inputs from the ecosystem in terms of animal nutrition, animal health, animal housing and breeding.

It deliberately avoids the use of synthetic inputs such as drugs, feed additives and genetically engineered breeding inputs (Chander et al., 2011). Organic livestock farming differs from conventional farming in many aspects including pasture management, animal nutrition, housing, animal health maintenance and animal disease management (Rahmann, 2001). Small scale holdings, where livestock essentially integrated with crop farming under subsistence farming operations with low input low output production systems, are making the prospects for organic livestock farming bright, alongside organic crop production in India (Chander et al., 2007). Integration of more than one livestock species and livestock with cropping can be the basis of a balanced and sustainable farming system, allowing nutrient recycling and effective resource use, where in the farmers of the study area were practicing. The use of well-adapted breeds and safeguarding the indigenous animal genetic resources along with maintenance of diversity is one of the major characteristics, given much emphasis in organic production systems.

 

Animal production is an important part of organic farming that aims at achieving a balanced relationship between the soil, the plants and the animals in a farming system (Vaarst et al., 2006). Consumers expect the food from organic production to be of a certain quality that makes it different from conventionally produced food. Acknowledged consumer interests cover a wide range of issues, from the nature of farming as a whole (environmentally friendly, socially just, animal welfare friendly) to the concern over own health (buying organic food based on a perception of organic food being more healthy). Production methods are based on criteria that meet all health regulations, work in harmony with the environment, build biological diversity and foster healthy soil and growing conditions. Animals are marketed as having been raised without the use of persistent toxic pesticides, antibiotics or parasiticides (Borell & Sorensen, 2004). Organic standard will not exempt producers and processors from compliance with general regularity requirements such as food safety regulations, pesticide registrations, general food and nutrition labelling rules, etc. (FAO, 2000). On an organic farming, animals are fed 100% organic feed. Organic crops, hay and pastures are prepared to feed animal. Organic milk far superior compared to conventional milk as it do not contain any non natural feed additives.

Organic farming can be defined as an integrated agriculture approach where the aim is to create humane, environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural production systems. One of the major aim of organic farming is to produce acceptable level of crops for livestock and human nutrition while protecting them from pests and diseases to ensure optimal return to the human and other resources employed. Increased awareness for health and well being among human beings has contributed to change in human preferences from conventionally produced food to organically grown food. Organic livestock farming is becoming popular at rapid pace worldwide due to ever increasing demand of organic milk, meat and eggs products and increased consumer awareness regarding quality of milk, meat and egg products. Due to the presence of various pesticides, insecticide, chemicals, drugs and hormone residues, life style related problems or issues like diabetes and cancer has increased. Due to intensive and mechanised agriculture, rate of cancer is much higher in developed countries in comparison to developing ones. The increasing demand for organic meat has encouraged nations to produce organic poultry products. Organic livestock farming is most suitable to our Indian conditions because of indigenous technical knowledge and practices followed by Indian farmers but organic poultry production is still lagging behind. The poultry population in India is huge and a small shift from current conventional poultry farming into organic poultry farming can create a huge market for domestic use as well as export. In organic farming the products follow the defined standard of production and handling. Organic Poultry is basically rearing of birds without cages, with outdoor access, organic feed and natural treatments.

 

Points that must be considered when converting a unit into organic farming system:

• The farm shall be under organic management and certification. 2) Animals shall not be fed with feeds, which contain additives like growth hormones and other artificial substances which are not allowed in the standards. 3) Animal waste shall be avoided as feed for other animals. 4) Animal manures to be properly handled or to be composted before use in the farms. 5) The animals shall be selected for breeding based on health and resistance to diseases and pests. 6) Use only the herbal and natural treatment. 7) The farm should strive to produce most of the feeds from the farm to avoid contamination from external feeds.

 

The primary characteristics of organic livestock production systems are :1) Well-defined standards and practices which can be verified. 2) Greater attention to animal welfare. 3) No routine use of growth promoters, animal offal, prophylactic antibiotics or any other additives. 4) At least 80% of the animal feed grown according to organic standards, without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides on crops or grass.

 

 Organic Certification Standards

 

The standards for organic production are basic requirement for organic production of crops, livestock, fisheries, etc. The certification bodies monitor the adherence to these standards by the organic producers. Therefore, most of the countries have national certifying body or agencies that certify the production management system as organic. Without their certification, products cannot reach the consumers as organic. A lot many organic standards exist at present. But, mainly 5 standards arc important and have worldwide acceptance, viz. EU regulation (1804/1999). Organic Food Products Act (OFPA) of USA, Draft Guidelines of Codex/WHO/FAO, UKROFS of UK and the IFOAM Basic Standards. Considering the regional importance, the Government of India (GoI) too has developed Indian National Standards for Organic Production (NSOP). These standards are published (NPOP, 2002) under the National Programme for Organic Production by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). In European Union (EU), majority of the countries have their own certifying standards and agencies. To avoid confusion of having a number of standards and certifying bodies, the first regulation on organic farming [Regulation EEC 209219 I] was drawn up in 1991 and implemented in 1992 to supplement the various organic standards of different EU nations. Again in July 1999, the EU adopted the EU regulation (1804/ 1999) and implemented in August 2000, which amends regulation 2092/91 with regard to livestock production (Schmid, 2000). Compliance requirements are so stringent that the first organic Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS) certified beef sold in Japan reportedly came from an Australian operation in 2008. Organic aquaculture (shrimp and fish), on the other hand, is emerging in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar (Kung, 2009). National Standards for Organic Production (NSOP) in India are largely based on the IFOAM Basic Standards. These standards need to be discussed by the stakeholders at different levels for periodic changes and modifications as per the local situations. (Chander, 2002; 2004). The academician and researchers may play a vital role in raising the awareness among the farmers, who may have to venture into organic production sooner or later due to growing demand (Chander, 1996).

 

Basic requirements for organic poultry farming:

 

 

1. Breeding: One cannot pursue organic farming without selecting local and indigenous breeds as eggs or meat produced by genetically engineered breeds are not considered to be organic. Natural reproductive techniques should be followed. Birds should be purchased from production units that follow organic standards or should be purchased from farms where parents are raised under organic conditions. Vaccination against common diseases is allowed, however vaccines must not be genetically modified. Non organic poultry can be introduced only under only after obtaining information from accredited body under certain conditions like operating organic poultry farm for the first time, introducing a special breed, renewal of the herd in the farm etc.

 

2. Housing: The main objective of the organic housing and management standards is to permit poultry birds to exhibit all their natural behaviour patterns and experience minimal stress. Poultry birds should have access to the outdoors, exercise areas, shade and direct sunlight, as appropriate to stage of life, climate and environment. Appropriate clean, dry bedding and shelter designed to allow for natural maintenance, comfort behaviours and opportunity to exercise should be there for poultry birds. Protecting birds from predators is one of the major concerns of housing as caging of birds is nor permitted in organic poultry production. Birds should be reared under deep litter system. Artificial light can be used in poultry farms according to the time prescribed by the certification agencies. Birds must be grown for usually a period of 81 days of age in the organic meat sector

 

3. Conversion period: The establishment of organic poultry requires a specific period called as “conversion period”. This period is the time taken between the commencement of the organic management on farm and certification of authenticity to livestock farm and its product. The conversion period starts with the day of first inspection. There should be simultaneous conversion of both land and poultry. If the land and poultry conversion are not simultaneous, then the poultry must be raised for certain period of time (minimum time for raising meat poultry is from second day of hatching and for eggs is six weeks ) as defined by organic board before the products could be sold as organic.

 

4. Feeding: Organically grown feed of good quality should be fed to the birds. Not more than 20% feed should come from non-organic sources. Except vitamin and mineral supplements, all ingredients must be certified as organic. The diet should be offered in a form in which birds can exhibit natural feeding behaviour and digestive needs. Organically produced concentrated balanced feed ration should be given. Home grown protein sources like peas, beans and rapeseed can be utilized. Peas can be included at the rate of 250-300g/kg for meat birds and 150-200g/kg for laying hens. Sprouted pulses are a good source of vitamins so they can be preferentially used to replace synthetic amino acids. Trace minerals incorporated in the diets should be preferably organic in nature. The quota of essential amino acids can be met through feeding Organic soybean, skim milk powder, potato protein, maize gluten etc. Overfeeding must be avoided. A continuous access and ample supply of drinking standard quality water free from residues should be given. A record of regular water testing should be maintained. Feed used must not contain animal products or any hormone to promote growth, urea or manure, feed or forage to which any antibiotic, including ionophores has been added and any feed, additives or supplements in violation of the Food and Drug Administration.

 

5. Record keeping: It is important to maintain record in organic poultry farming to make it available to the certifying body during inspection. A systematic documentation of all activities, observations and inferences from time to time for future references is advised. The types of records maintained are as following: · Parentral origin and source breeding records · Registers indicating source of animals purchase · Source of organic feed ingredients · Feed supplements and feed additives purchased · Organic feed formulation record · Organic poultry pasture record · Inventory of health care products, sanitation products · Monthly flock records of organic egg layers, organic meat poultry, organic poultry slaughter/sales · Summary and monthly organic egg packing /sales record · Other management records and materials used.

 

 

6. Health Management: In organic poultry, prevention is better than cure. So when all management practices are directed towards the well being of the birds they will achieve maximum resistance against diseases and overcome many infections. Organic poultry producers must establish preventative health care practices which includes: · By selection of breeds that are suitable for site specific conditions and resistant to prevalent diseases and parasites. · Establishment of appropriate housing and pasture conditions. · Proper sanitation and disinfection practices to minimize the occurrence and spread of diseases and parasites. · Providing feed ration sufficient to meet nutritional requirements. Use of antibiotics should be avoided; however vaccinations are permitted only when diseases are expected to be a problem. All vaccination used in poultry should have prior permission from organic council. Use of alternate medicine such as homeopathy and ayurveda should be encouraged for treating diseases. Probiotics, prebiotics and plant extract can be used in organic poultry farming to improve the growth and health status of poultry birds as an alternate source of antibiotics. Hormonal treatment that are therapeutic in nature can be carried out under supervision but growth stimulants are strictly prohibited.

 

7. Waste management: The waste from the farms should be properly disposed with minimum soil and water degradation

 

8. Transportation:

 

The birds should be transported very carefully. There should be no stress, injury, hunger, malnutrition, fear, discomfort, pain, disease or suffering during transportation.

 

9. Slaughter of birds: There should be minimum stress and suffering during slaughter of birds according to organic standards. Hygienic packing of poultry products while maintaining standards of organic council is of utmost importance. Use of chemicals while packing is strictly prohibited. Separate rooms for washing, slaughter and bleeding, feather removal etc are mandatory.

 

Constraints for organic poultry farming in India:

 

• Lack of proper knowledge about organic poultry farming on the parts of poultry farmers. § Lack of awareness among consumers. § Inadequate supporting infrastructure like lack of adequate financial support, lack of certifying agencies, lack of marketing channel etc. § Adequate training facilities for poultry farmers are not there. § Strict measures like sanitary conditions and quality followed by developed countries is an obstacle for small and marginal Indian poultry farmers to enter into export of organic products. § Lack of support from government in form of subsidies for organic production.

 

Organic Poultry Production

Poultry sector of modern India has transformed from backyard rearing to become commercial organized, scientific and vibrant industry in last four decades ago. Poultry sector plays a significant role in improving the socio-economic condition of rural masses, by generating gainful employment and augmenting family income, particularly among the landless labourers small and marginal farmers and women in rural areas. At present consumers are becoming more aware of safety and quality of food products consumed by them. Further, as Purchasing Power (PP) of common people is increasing persistently, they are interested to buy and consume harmless product without bothering to pay more. So, the production of safer poultry products without any chemical and microbial residues is the need of the day. On the other hand, emerging importance of animal (poultry) welfare started showing its adverse implications for trade at international level, as there is growing argument that intensive cage rearing, forced moulting etc., are unethical and against the animal welfare. Therefore, laying greater emphasis on organic poultry farming can help us to produce safer and harmless poultry products without compromising the animal (poultry) welfare.

 

Organic farming can be defined as an approach to agriculture and allied sector where the aim is to create integrated, humane, environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural production systems producing acceptable levels of crops, livestock and human nutrition, protection from pests and diseases, and an appropriate return to the human and other resources employed. Maximum reliance is placed on locally or farm-derived, renewable resources and the management of self-regulating ecological and biological processes and interactions. Reliance on external inputs, whether chemical or organic, is reduced as far as possible. Organic product has been produced in a humane way and by sustainable management that does not damage the environment.

In order to achieve the animal welfare, environmental, resource-use sustainability and other objectives, certain key principles are adhered to organic poultry production:

♦ Organic poultry must have access to the outdoors, stock number are related to the carrying capacity of the land.

♦ Reliance on farm or locally derived renewable resources, such as biologically-fixed atmospheric nitrogen and home grown poultry feed.

♦ Reliance on feed resources produced organically, which are suited for poultry’s evolutionary adaptations and which minimize competition for food suitable for human consumptions.

♦ Use of housing systems which allow natural behaviour patterns to be followed and which give high priority to animal welfare considerations, with the emphasis on free-range systems for poultry.

♦ Use of breeds and rearing systems suited to the production systems employed, in terms of disease resistance, productivity, hardiness, and suitability for ranging.

Why organic poultry:

In the last few decades poultry industry has transformed from mere backyard poultry to commercial farm, but the issues of food safety and quality remain unaddressed. Today, consumers are increasingly concerned about the quality, source and conditions under which their food is grown. Hence, organic poultry farming has become as an approach to address these issues. Organic products can help the consumers to limit exposure to pesticides and chemical based fertilizers. Organic chicken farming is cleaner and may be more environmentally friendly. In organic poultry production, the chicken is treated in a most humane manner during their life. Consumers may also prefer the flavour of organic chicken.

Characteristics of organic poultry:

Organic poultry may not be grown starting from conventional day old chicks, parent stock need not be organically produced, and conventional hatcheries may be utilized. All organic systems are free range, never kept in cages and range should be well covered with suitable and properly managed vegetation. It must include shelter and other features that encourage ranging. Flock size is much smaller than on conventional and most free range farms. Ideally they should be housed in small mobile units that can be moved around farm. In organic poultry system, every effort should be made to keep the stress on the birds to a minimum, both in terms of the physiological demands placed on them by the production system and the environment in which they are kept. Positive welfare (animal’s needs and avoidance of cruelty) is the name of the production system. Slower growing and traditional breeds that are better suited to free range systems are best, and if faster growing variety/strains are used, they must be slaughtered after a recommended conversion period. Mutilations such as beak trimming are banned. Birds should have the freedom to express normal behavior and have sufficient space, proper facilities and the company to other birds to do so. In terms of disease management, prevention is always better than cure, and bio security is the watchword. Feeding and water should be better to prevent the spread of diseases. Antibiotics are used to treat a specific problem, but cannot be used routinely. Vaccination against prevalent diseases may be allowed.

Main Issues to be considered for Organic Poultry Farming:

To establish an organic poultry enterprise, there are many issues to think about. Some of the most important issues are-

1. Soil type:The soil needs to be relatively free draining. Heavy, wet land not only makes access difficult, but also creates more challenges for the birds.
2. Shelter:Poultry need a sheltered environment. If possible, exposed locations should be avoided.
3. Feed:Emphasis should be given to get 100% organic ration. It is important to maintain organic principles on home grown feed. Increasing feed prices and the emphasis organic principles place on home grown feed mean that feed is a major consideration for setting up an organic poultry production unit.
4. Labour Cost: As compared to conventional system of rearing, organic poultry production is more labour intensive. The birds are housed in smaller groups, often in mobile housing.
5. Infrastructure requirement: Water should be available in the house and preferably also on the free range area. Organic feed ingredients should be available round the year. If there are no existing slaughter facilities available, a processing unit should be set up on the farm.
6. Capital investment:To establish a successful and efficient organic poultry production unit, a considerable amount of capital investment is required.

Advantages of Organic poultry farming:

1. Products are safe and of good quality for human consumption.
2. It ensures to keep poultry in comfortable housing and environment and provides better welfare measures so that productive performance is better.
3. The production system is sustainable and scientific.
4. It generally avoids the use of antibiotics/drugs etc. for the treatment of sick animals, so that there are less chances of residual effect of drugs on animal products.

Disadvantages of Organic poultry farming:

1. It is generally difficult to spare more housing space as per standard.
2. The conversion period is very long.
3. Prolonged withdrawal period is required after any treatment with antibiotic or other drugs.
4. Cost of organic feed is very high.
5. Due to strict adherent of various rules and regulations for organic poultry farming the products become costlier.

 

 

Poultry Breeds:

Breed should be chosen which are adaptable to local conditions. Breeding goals should not be in opposition to animal natural behavior and should be directed towards good health. This section focuses on factors affecting breed choice in terms of the objectives of organic production systems.

 

 

Behaviour:

 

Behavior traits are of more importance in free range for the normal expression of the bird behavior/organic production, when trying to create a production system, which permit hens to move around in large flocks there should be ample space for wing flapping and stretching and areas suitable for sand, dust and sun bathing. More specifically, sand and dustbathing are important for the maintenance of hygiene and help to reduce the number of external parasite considerably similar to the other farm animals, chicken have a strong pecking order by which the birds can recognize each other in flock up to approximately 50-60 other birds on the basis of their head form. Larger groups makes them socially unstable group and create a risk of serious pecking problems, so in such larger flock, subgroups should be formed. There should be one cock for about 4-6 hens in flock like in wild birds. The major behavioral problem faced by the poultry is feather pecking and cannibalism. Finding food is another social behavior of the birds.

 

Housing:

The main objective to follow organic housing and management standards is to provide an opportunity for poultry bird to exhibit all its normal behavior patterns. This will be helpful to minimize the stress to the birds. Stress free birds are likely to have a positive effect upon both the health and production capacity of the flock. For organic poultry production in European and American countries mobile houses are very popular as compare to fixed housing system. The main advantage of mobile housing is that the birds can be moved to fresh grass areas so that the risk of soil- borne parasites in the outside area can be kept low. The major disadvantage of mobile housing is that all other production materials (i.e. feed, litter material and water etc.) required need to be transported to and from the houses, which increases the labor requirement considerably. Overall, the costs of mobile housing per unit are likely to be higher than the fixed systems.

 

Feeding and Watering:

 

Diet is the major point of divergence between ‘intermediate’ and organic standards, as the intermediate standards have very little to say about feed type or quality. All organic standards state that ideally 100% of the diet should be organic, but give some allowance for some non-organic components of the diet under the current situation. The UKROFS standards allow non-ruminants up to 30% (calculated on a daily basis) from non-organic sources. At least 50% of the diet must be fully organic, and the remaining 20% can come from sources that are in conversion to organic production.

 

Health Care and Medication:

The aim of organic systems is to optimise breeding, rearing, feeding, housing and general management in order to achieve stability and balance in the farming system, maximise the health of the animal and minimise disease pressure and stress. In organic standards preventive treatment is restricted to the controlled use of vaccination and homoeopathic nosodes for known farm problems. Growth promoters, hormones and the routine (prophylactic) use of antibiotics are not allowed. All organic standards emphasizes the prevention of disease by enhancing the welfare of the animal and prohibit the use of prophylactic treatment with chemotherapy. Where possible, treatment of ailments is approached by aiding the animal’s own resistance and the use of complementary therapies such as homoeopathy. Conventional treatment should be used in all cases where it is necessary to prevent prolonged illness or suffering, but longer withdrawal periods are imposed under organic production standards for controlled drugs and prescription/pharmacy only medicines and veterinary products.

 

 Slaughter and Processing Facilities:

 

Most of the organic table bird producers we contacted have their own slaughter and processing facilities on the farm, which were either classified as low throughput slaughter houses (200-3000 birds per week) or small on-farm facilities (less than 200 birds per week with local marketing only). Many also emphasized hanging for periods ranging from 2 to 8 days prior to evisceration in order to improve flavor.

 Conclusion:

 

The ill effects of conventional farming are compelling the consumer to shift to the organic food products. In particular livestock revolution implies not only to increase quantum of production but to improve food security and safety of consumers also. India has tremendous potential in organic poultry production as large part of country is organic by default. A minimum support by the GOI for young entrepreneurs will help to reduce the risks related to the poultry sector. Endemics and epidemics like birdflu and Covid-19 has led to the huge losses to the sector. However, assurance of MSP and minimalistic support to farmers would encourage them to move towards organic poultry farming.

BOOK IN PDF ON ORGANIC LIVESTOCK FARMING IN INDIA CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM HERE:

ORGANIC LIVESTOCK & ORGANIC POULTRY STANDARDS IN INDIA

https://www.apeda.gov.in/apedawebsite/organic/organic_contents/english_organic_sept05.pd

REFERENCE-ON REQUEST