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POULTRY FARM Although the commercial breeding of chickens has been known to farmers for over three hundred years, the concept of poultry farming as an organized industry is relatively new. In India, its practice has undergone a metamorphic change in the past two decades-from the small backyard operation of the mid-sixties, to the well-structured, market-oriented enterprise we know today. The present worth of India's poultry industry stands at approximately Rs 63,400 million and provides direct employment to over 6,00,000 people, and self employment to another 1,00,000. Egg production has crossed 28 billion per year and the number of broilers has increased from 230 million in 1987, to 330 million in 1993, indicating an annual growth rate of 20%. A number of factors have contributed to the increasing popularity of poultry farming as an occupation in this country. The first is the huge and growing demand for a low-priced source of protein-rich nutrients, provided by eggs and chicken. The minimum space requirement and low maintenance costs is another. Besides this, chickens adapt easily to almost any condition, and the profits are substantial. For those with limited capital who wish to start out on their own and are unafraid of hard work, poultry farming is the right career to choose. Main Area of Work There are three major types of poultry farms, each catering to a different market segment. These are: BREEDING FARMS Which hatch and raise poultry for sale to other farmers. BROILER FARMS Which breed or buy chicks for their meat Day-old chicks are procured and kept for six weeks, until they are ready to be marketed. In broiler farming, the initial investment required is lower, and the returns quicker However, it must be said that the job of looking after tiny chicks is extremely laborious. LAYER FARMS Which raise day-old chicks of light breed for five or six months, after which they start laying. They are kept for their eggs for a year, after which they are culled Although the initial investment is higher than in broiler farming, and the returns slower, there is less work involved the most difficult time being the eight-week breeding period. Courses & Institutes
The Institute of Poultry Management, Pune (IPM) It is the only specialized institute in India offering a full-fledged programme in poultry farming. The IPM maintains its own farms and hatchery to enable students to gain extensive hands-on experience. It also runs a Disease Diagnostic and Feed Analytical Laboratory in order to acquaint its students with the various disease prevention methods and feed formulae that may be altered in practice, to maintain a high viability on their farms. The institute primarily conducts three regular and four short-duration specialized courses to meet the immediate requirements of present and prospective poultry farmers by way of imparting scientific knowledge of poultry farm management. The curriculum varies with the programme selected Subjects taught in each programme have been chosen with care so that not only are students made aware of the role of poultry farming in the national economy, but they also learn job-specific subjects such as shelter engineering, selection of stock, poultry nutrition, poultry disease, broiler/layer farm management, marketing of poultry products, farm personnel management, etc. Courses offered by the institute include
The Government Poultry Farm The Government Poultry Farm at Bari near Chattarpur, Delhi, also runs two courses a year, for those who wish to take up poultry farming. The academic programme here includes both theoretical and practical training in the subject. At the end of the course, successful candidates are awarded a Poultry Training Certificate. Course Duration: two weeks (October-November and April-May). Eligibility: No age limit or academic qualifications specified Selection Process: Candidates are required to fill in a form one week before the start of training. Course Fee: Entry fee for the course is Rs 30. Career Prospects
SERVICE On completion of training, graduates are eligible for employment in any of the following places: 1. Any large poultry farm 2. Hatchery 3. Veterinary Hospital 4. Pharmaceutical Concern 5. Feed Millor and Feed Production Company 6. Feed Analysis Laboratory However, most graduates prefer to set up their own poultry farms. SELF-EMPLOYMENT The relatively low investment and space requirement in poultry farming, as compared with most other industries, makes this a popular avenue for a majority of specialists in this field. Setting Up BROILER FARMING Initial investment on a farm of 1,000 broiler capacity adds up to approximately Rs 80,000, besides the cost of the land. Space requirements are calculated at one sq. ft. of covered area per chick. Expenses include construction of chicken coop, equipment, electricity, cost of chickens, feed for six weeks, medicine and labor. Recurring expenditure every 45 days is approximately Rs 26,000 per 1,000 broilers. The profits work out to an average of Rs 3 to Rs 4 per bird. LAYER FARMING For layers, non-recurring and recurring costs for 1,000 birds for the first six months work out to about Rs 1.75 lakh. The space requirement is approximately 2.5 sq. ft. covered area per layer. The cost of rearing is Rs 40, and profits are Rs 3 to Rs 4 per bird. In every state in India, the government provides for regular visits from its Poultry Extension staff, which help farmers in their day-to-day working. As poultry farmers are for the most part self-employed, success in this field is dependent on skill, business instincts, hard work, and to some extent, on luck. FUTURE PROSPECTS India's growing population, now touching nearly 900 million, generates a proportionately large requirement for low-priced nutritious food items. Poultry products adequately fulfill this requirement, and therefore enjoy a substantial market. Changing consumption patterns and the emergence of new consumer segments have widened the supply-demand gap for poultry products. Hence the potential of this sector is almost unlimited. As new markets open up, and the demand for poultry products increases further, the prospects for this industry appears exceedingly bright. RELATED CAREERS Dairy farming, agriculture. |