Double-digit growth is the target for the poultry sector in Andhra Pradesh, according to the latest mission statement from the state’s government.
The announcement comes shortly after India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, set a target to double the income of the country’s farmers by 2022. To kick-start the process, the national agricultural budget has been more than doubled.
Livestock have been identified as among the leading growth engines for socio-economic development in the state of Andhra Pradesh, according to Telegana NavaNirmana Sena (TGNNS). It also provides the bulk of protein for the local population, 7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 26 percent of agricultural GDP.
Andhra Pradesh is India’s top state for poultry production
Andhra Pradesh is India’s most important poultry-producing state. Within its farming sector, it is poultry production that is the most dynamic and fastest growing, and chicken meat and eggs represent important low-cost protein sources for the human diet.
In publishing its “Poultry Development Policy of Andhra Pradesh 2016-2020,” the state government has set out its goal for the sustainable intensification of the sector. Main objectives are to increase production from commercial broilers and layers, encourage processing of value-added egg and chicken products, and promote exports in partnership with private players. It also aims to promote small-scale rearing of low-input high-technology birds.
Financial incentives for producers
The new policy sets out a wide range of fiscal incentives for the development and expansion of the poultry sector, valued at a total of INR575.46 billion (US$8.5 billion).
Under the Food Processing Policy, subsidies and grants are offered for investment in egg collection centers and processing facilities, chicken processing plants and cold chains for the manufacturing of value-added poultry products. Export incentives include partial reimbursement of the cost of transporting products to container depots and ports. These initiatives are estimated at INR123 billion (USD1.82 billion).
In addition, there are fiscal incentives covered in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Policy-2015-20. Provided under the Industrial Policy, these will amount to INR129 billion (USD1.91 billion).
Incentives provided by the Animal Husbandry Department – to the tune of INR323.55 billion (USD4.78 billion) - will be available for the setting up of poultry farms, modern laboratory facilities for disease diagnosis, training, R&D, manufacturing of organic fertilizer from poultry manure, zoning/compartmentalization, power generation, risk coverage and marketing campaigns.
To provide feed ingredients for its growing poultry sector, the cultivation of corn (maize) and soybeans will be promoted in Andhra Pradesh.
In line with public health policy, restrictions are to be imposed on live bird markets, so that slaughtering and dressing of birds does not take place in the open.
For rural and backyard poultry, the government has undertaken to fund one hatchery in each district, and to support one mother units each year per area to promote the rearing of chicks of improved strains such as the Vanaraja, Gramapriya and Aseel. Women’s self-help group, DWCRA, will receive training and vaccines to carry out poultry vaccinations in the villages under the supervision of local veterinarian & SERP officials.
Finally, production of Khaki Campbell ducks is to be encouraged through a subsidy for rearing, and training for farmers.
