The rise of the use of Artificial Intelligence in the Indian poultry industry has been seen from across the country. The poultry industry consists of broilers and eggs which are estimated to be worth INR 1,750 billion in 2018. This market is further projected to reach INR 4,340 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 16.2% during 2019-2024. In this article on the use of Artificial Intelligence in the Poultry Industry in India, we will gain more insight about how it is revolutionizing it.
Types Of Poultry Sector In India
The Poultry industry in India which is valued at about Rs. 80,000 crore (2015-16) is broadly divided into two sub-sectors – one with a highly organized commercial sector with about 80% of the total market share (say, Rs. 64,000 crore) and the other being unorganized with about 20% of the total market share of Rs. 16,000 Crore.
The unorganized sector also referred to as backyard poultry plays a key role in supplementary income generation and family nutrition for the poorest of the poor. It is estimated that with a poultry population of 729 million [30% layers at around 215 million and 40% broilers at around 480 million] small and medium farmers are mostly engaged in contract farming systems under larger integrators and there are around 30 million farmers engaged in backyard poultry as per 19th Livestock Census.
Contribution of the Poultry Industry To The Economy Of India
India ranks 3rd in egg production and 7th in chicken meat production in the world (Watt Executive Guide, 2015). About 3.4 million tons (74 billion) of eggs are produced from 260 million layers and 3.8 million tons of poultry meat is produced from 3000 million broilers per annum in India. The Poultry Industry contributes about Rs.70,000/- crores to the national GDP and employs more than 4 million people either directly or indirectly.
About 2-2.5 million tons of poultry litter, a valuable organic fertilizer, is produced as a byproduct every year. The poultry industry is concentrated in certain pockets of the country. The States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu lead the country followed by Maharashtra, Punjab, and West Bengal. The popularity of poultry meat has been on the rise during the last two decades. It presently accounts for about 45% of the total meat consumed and is the most popular meat from any single livestock species.
What Dominates Poultry Farming In Various States?
Chicken dominates poultry production in India with nearly 95% of the total egg production and the rest is contributed by ducks and others (DADF, 2014). Most ducks are found in certain states on the eastern and southern coast like West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, etc.
Other species like turkeys, guinea fowls, ostriches, emus, etc. are reared only in small numbers in areas having specific market demand. There has been a big shift in this space in the past 20 years. New equipment was introduced in poultry farming. This is no more backyard rearing. Now big organizations are playing in this space and mass production is taking place due to that. This is a long journey from an unorganized to an organized sector.
AI Revolutionizing the Poultry Industry
Nowadays the rise of Artificial intelligence in the poultry industry has made a huge difference. With it, you will get all the real-time data. With the help of that working on preventive measures will be more convenient. AI is in its simplest manner where computer science is combined with a data sheet to enable machines to perform tasks equivalent to human intelligence.
Conclusion
With the help of AI, farmers can get the flock health report in real-time, hatching egg quality, monitoring biosecurity, forecasting any threat, and better risk assessment along with solutions and data collection for historical study and trends. But in this new age of farming critical factor is education and awareness of the farmers.
There is a need to educate our new generation of farmers about this. Data is a fuel for new-age farming. The government and private sector both should take the initiative to teach our farmers about this and give them this vision of new-age farming.
Author : Swasti Singh
Srinivasa Farms
