Dr. Anirvid is the Founder Director of Agrivet Research and Advisory Private Limited. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Anirvid has held various roles, including broiler breeder technical operations, hatching egg and chick business management, and techno-commercial positions in additives marketing and animal feed business. His expertise has been crucial in establishing Agrivet Research Centre’s state-of-the-art research infrastructure and “Dr Agrivet” – a digital livestock healthcare advisory mobile application which is presently in a pilot stage.
You have been conducting research and providing consultation for the poultry industry for more than a decade. Could you please share some of the challenges that customers face?
If I have to prioritise the challenges of a poultry entrepreneur, my list will go like:
1. Sourcing of desired Inputs
2. Managing the emergence of NEW pathogens
3. Tremendous fluctuations in market price of the produce
4. Industry focus on antimicrobial resistance and Environmental concerns and Sustainable production
5. Human Resource crisis to manage the business
6. Adopting Technology to run the business
Demand-based production could help sustain the poultry business and improve profitability. What is your opinion on this approach? What suggestions would you have for the industry and individual farmers?
Demand-based poultry production is a promising approach that can indeed help sustain the poultry business and improve profitability. It aligns production with market demand, reduces waste, and ensures that the supply chain is more efficient.
Unfortunately, in a diverse country like ours, the consumption pattern varies unexpectedly where producers find it extremely difficult to hit the balance between demand and supply.
My suggestion is:
1. Learn best production practices.
2. Find out inputs that are best fit for your operation.
3. Continue with a consistent and planned placement.
4. Calculate the profitability on an annual basis. At times this calculation might have to be derived on a biennial basis.
The percentage of India’s ethanol made from food grains like maize and rice increased from 37.4% to 51% this year. How do you view this development, and what would be your suggestions for the industry to prepare for the future?
The shift towards increased ethanol production from food grains in India is a strategic step towards energy independence and environmental sustainability.
This shift has also shown it is severely affected by higher maize prices leading to inflation in Feed cost. Animal feed manufacturers are in search of alternative energy sources like jowar, bajra, barley, wheat, or other grains to mitigate the scarcity of energy sources in feed. Most of the alternatives are not popularly known, tested or validated. There are potential risks of Nutritional Imbalance, Mycotoxin infestation and poor feed conversion.
Industry must enhance their knowledge on availability and usage guidelines of alternative ingredients with a 360° view of the present volatility of the situation.
The poultry industry seems reluctant to include alternatives in its formulations. How do you view the current situation? Could you also share which alternatives are preferred in different parts of the country?
The poultry industry’s reluctance to include alternative ingredients in feed formulations is a common challenge globally, and India is no way different. This hesitation often comes from concerns about consistency in nutritional quality, availability, cost-effectiveness, and potential impacts on bird health and performance.
Amino Acid Profile, Digestibility, Palatability, supporting matrix values are the major advantages in sticking to the conventional Maize and Soybean dependency.
The demand of the present situation should be
- Look for alternative ingredients
- Enhance Research and Development to know the insights
- Address Mycotoxins, Anti-nutritional Factors, Digestibility and Amino Acid profile
- Resolve Supply Chain Issues
- Balance the “Best Cost Formulation” practice
Despite these challenges, several alternative ingredients are being explored and used in different parts of India, depending on regional availability, cost, and acceptance. Here is a breakdown of preferred alternatives across various regions:
Northern and Central India:
Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Wheat, Mustard DOC
Southern India:
Rice Bran, Broken Rice, Coconut Meal, Cassava (Tapioca), Insect Meal
Eastern and Northeastern India:
Rice Bran, Broken Rice, Fish Meal, Corn DDGS, Rice DDGS
Western India:
Groundnut Meal, Sunflower Meal, Guar Meal, Cotton Seed DOC
Agrivet has conceptualized Ingredient IQ. What can be expected from this event? Could you please tell us about its format?
The concept of “Ingredient IQ” suggests an event focused on providing insights and knowledge about various feed ingredients, their nutritional value, usage, and impact on animal health and productivity.
The platform will provide enough space for the feed manufacturers to interact with the ingredient suppliers and expand their bandwidth to explore alternatives instead of conventional practices.
There will be: Expert Panels and Discussions, Innovation in Feed Ingredients, Nutritional Science and Research, Exhibition and Networking, Interactive Workshops and Demonstrations
Ingredient IQ is poised to be a valuable event for stakeholders in the feed and poultry industry, providing knowledge, fostering innovation, and building connections. By focusing on both traditional and alternative feed ingredients, the event can help industry players optimize their feed formulations, enhance productivity, and contribute to a more sustainable animal agricultural sector.
What is your target audience? How does the industry benefit from such an event?
Target Audience for Ingredient IQ
- Small, Medium, and Large-Scale Poultry and Livestock Farmers
- Integrated Farm Operators
- Commercial Feed Companies
- Independent Feed Formulators: Nutritionists
- Raw Material Suppliers
- Innovative Ingredient Companies
- Veterinarians and Animal Nutritionists
- Academic and Research Institutions
- Regulatory Bodies, Government Officials and Policymakers
- Investors and Agribusiness Professionals
Benefits to the Industry from Ingredient IQ
- Up-to-Date Information on technological advancements, and best practices in feed ingredient use and formulation
- Workshops and hands-on sessions help attendees acquire practical skills in feed formulation, quality assessment, and use of alternative ingredients.
- Ingredient IQ provides a forum for introducing and showcasing new feed ingredients and technologies
- Opportunities for collaboration between research institutions, feed manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers
- The event facilitates networking among farmers, feed manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and industry experts, leading to potential partnerships and business deals
- Ingredient suppliers and manufacturers can explore new markets, expand their customer base, and identify distribution channels.
- Insights into cost-effective alternatives and efficient feed formulation techniques can help reduce overall feed costs, improving profitability for poultry and livestock producers
- The event provides a platform to discuss market trends, such as the impact of ethanol production on maize prices, helping the industry adapt and strategize accordingly.
Ingredient IQ is a valuable initiative that caters to a wide range of stakeholders in the animal feed and poultry industry. By offering knowledge, fostering innovation, and facilitating collaboration, the event aims to drive the industry forward, making it more efficient, sustainable, and profitable. It creates a conducive environment for addressing current challenges, exploring new opportunities, and enhancing the overall productivity and sustainability of the poultry and livestock sectors
Dr Anirvid Sarkar, Agrivet Research and Advisory
