Ricky Thaper, Joint Secretary of Poultry Federation of India, visited Krishi Jagran's office in New Delhi on October 04, 2025. During an engaging session at KJ Chaupal, Thaper shared his extensive experience and valuable insights on the growth, challenges, and future prospects of India’s poultry sector.
Speaking at the session, Thaper shared his long-standing association with the poultry industry since 1986 and noted that he was a founding member of the Poultry Federation of India, established in 1988. He has held key roles over the years, including Vice President, Zonal Convener, and Executive Committee Member. Emphasizing the sector's significance, he highlighted that India’s poultry industry is worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore and supports the livelihoods of lakhs of people. India ranks as the second-largest egg producer and the fourth-largest chicken producer globally.
He praised the Government of India’s initiatives, particularly the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), which offers a 3% interest subsidy and financial assistance for establishing cold storage facilities, feed plants, and processing units. Thaper emphasized that more such schemes are needed to strengthen the poultry processing infrastructure and ensure inclusive sectoral growth.
Discussing consumer trends, he noted that 73% of India’s population consumes chicken, and demand continues to rise due to its affordability compared to mutton and fish. He described poultry as the ‘cheapest and best source of protein,’ accessible to both rural and urban populations.
Thaper also underlined the integration of poultry farming with agriculture and allied activities such as dairy, piggery, aquaculture, and beekeeping as a key pathway to doubling farmers’ income, in alignment with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. He encouraged the youth to view poultry as a profitable, scalable, and technology-driven enterprise, supported by innovations in cooling systems, water management, and energy-efficient farming practices.
Addressing public concerns about avian influenza (bird flu), he clarified that the strains detected in India are generally low-pathogenic avian influenza and not a major threat. He stressed that awareness, vaccination, and responsible media reporting play a crucial role in preventing panic and safeguarding the livelihood of farmers.
The interactive session concluded with a group photograph, capturing a moment of collaboration and shared commitment towards empowering India’s poultry farmers and promoting sustainable growth in the livestock sector.
