Effective Poultry Farming Business Plan for India

Poultry Farm is one of the most rapidly expanding agricultural industries in India, Poultry provides very good prospects for enterprising individuals. A poultry farming business plan is important to the success of an enterprise, whether this may be a new venture or expansion of an existing one.  India ranks third in egg production and fifth in broiler chicken production worldwide. The demand for cheap sources of protein in the form of chicken and eggs is steadily increasing owing to population growth, changes in eating habits, and urbanization. The poultry farming business in India consists of broiler farming (for meat), layer farming (for eggs), hatcheries, and integrated operations that may involve feed production or output of value-added products. 

Significance of a Poultry Farming Business Plan

A poultry farming business plan is the roadmap to success. It outlines your business vision, your operational strategy, market analysis, financial forecast, and risk management. A well-laid-out plan attracts investors and raises loans and ensures that all stakeholders are in tandem with the business vision.

Investment Required to Start a Poultry Farm Business in India

The initial investment to set up a poultry operation is estimated to vary depending on the size of the operation. Significant differences in costs are possible in India, depending on the size of the operation:

• Setting up a small-scale: ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000
• Setting up a medium-scale: ₹1,50,000 to ₹3,50,000
• Setting up a large-scale: ₹7,00,000 to ₹10,00,000

Financial support for the prospective poultry farmer might be sought through business loans from banks. While there are options to get financial assistance from family, friends, and government schemes, bank loans are favored because they provide certain tax benefits on the interest paid. Thus an effective poultry farming business plan is plays an important role in poultry Business.

Steps on Starting a Poultry Farm Business in India

Step 1: Prepare a Business Plan

This is your blueprint for how you will achieve your aims in poultry farming. A poultry farming business plan must include:

• Identification of a proper site for the farm.
• Listing of all equipment needed. 
• Selection of breeding types of birds.
• Avoiding other processes such as egg production and broiler breeding.
• Resource requirements: human, financial, others.
• Creating a specific market plan and advertising strategy.
• Listing legal requirements, such as licenses and permits. 

Step 2: Location and Equipment

After poultry farming business plan, the acquisition of good land is one of the most important and most expensive processes of getting into poultry farm business. The area of land that is required will vary depending on the type and size of the operation. The most common types of poultry farms include:

• Free Range Farm: 12,000 sq. ft. to 36,000 sq. ft., which allows birds free movement.
• Semi-Range Farm: Approximately 8,000 sq. ft.
• Battery Cage Farm: Approximately 6,000 sq. ft. wherein birds are put in cages.
• Wild Poultry Farming: Approximately 44,000 sq. ft., giving birds a wild environment for reproduction.

When looking for a site, select one that is away from the city center, safe, quiet, and pollution-free with easy access to water and the markets. It is always advisable to look for your land when going into commercial production.

Step 3: Selecting Bird Varieties for Poultry Farming

India has one of the largest markets in the world. Various birds are raised, such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, guinea fowl, and quails, with chickens being most commonly raised. Of over 600 breeds of chickens worldwide, 92 varieties are grown in India for meat and egg production. The three types commanding a market share include: 

• Broiler Chickens – Chickens that grow fast to maturity in about 8 weeks and yield heavy meat. 
• Layer Chickens – Specially bred hens that start laying at about 18-19 weeks of age, with production continuing up to 72-78 weeks, at an average of over 250 eggs per year while consuming about 2.25 kg of feed. 
• Rooster Chickens – Male birds, also called cocks or roosters, which grow slower, but play an important role in protecting hens, adapting to environmental changes, and easy transportation. 

Step 4: Care and Management

Bird health and safety are a function of growth and production. It has been said that the management of diseases is the greatest challenge in poultry farming. It is vital to provide the birds with clean drinking water, balanced feeding materials, and regular vaccination. Though management of birds and preventive measures can reduce losses due to disease and other risks. 

Step 5: The Required Licenses and Permissions

With the government promoting poultry production in India, the law surrounding starting a poultry farm business has been simplified. When one follows proper legal guidance, it becomes very simple to obtain the necessary permits and licenses. Some of them include:

• A NOC from the local village Panchayat. 
• NOC from the Pollution Control Board.
• A NOC for electricity use, including installation of transformers if necessary. 
• A license from the Groundwater Department. 

Step 6: Marketing and Advertising

Whatever your business name and logo, marketing poultry products in India is fairly easy and much in demand. Based on their production capacity, products may be sold at local markets or transported to nearby cities.

Benefits of Poultry Farm Business in India

The rising health consciousness among consumers has led to the increasing acceptance of poultry products as nutrient-rich, unhindered by religious taboos. Commercial poultry farming is a lucrative area of business with many prospects for aspiring entrepreneurs. Banks in India extend loans to aspiring customers for setting up their businesses.

The investment cost for farming is relatively lower than many other forms of enterprises, even for the facilities to start with, as water and electricity needs are the barest minimum, and most future expansion can easily be undertaken. 

The industry employs a massive number of people, and various institutes offer professional training, such as:

• Dr. B.V. Rao Institute of Poultry Management & Technology, Pune
• Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar
• Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi
• National School of Open Schooling, Delhi

Let’s check poultry rates in Indian cities:

Hyderabad	Vizag
Telangana	Kerala

Impact of Poultry Farm Business on the Indian Economy

It has rapidly progressed and is expected to keep moving for the next decade. At present, India is the 17th largest poultry producer on a global scale. Approximately ₹16.8 billion enters the economy of the nation through this industry and continues to rise. India stood as the 5th largest egg producer and the 9th largest poultry meat producer in the world.

Market research further indicates that the consumption of eggs is multiplying much faster in India as compared to meat. Thus, in the future, consumers can expect a threefold increase in consumption due to better purchasing power.

Governmental Support and Subsidies in India

1. National Livestock Mission (NLM): Farm setup and hatchery/feed unit subsidies.
2. NABARD: Inclusive refinancing of agricultural loans, including poultry.
3. State Schemes: Other state-run schemes provide additional incentives or subsidies for the poultry farmer.
4. MUDRA Loans: For small-scale poultry units under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana

Conclusion

The poultry business sector in India is an emerging one. The scope is wide and significant because it meets the demand and supply of quality and cheap protein sources like chicken meat and eggs. A proper poultry farming business plan will enable an entrepreneur to systematically place market needs and operational and financial management factors to grow the institution into a sustainable and profitable business. Starting with a very low-end quality, the clean and strong local market connection can bring profits in the first year itself.