Poultry’s journey in India began quietly in 1912, when the first missionary poultry farm was established in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, followed by the country’s inaugural poultry exhibition in Lucknow. These modest beginnings sparked the growth of what is now one of India’s most dynamic agricultural sectors. Over the decades, poultry—particularly chicken and eggs—has emerged as a key pillar in India’s nutritional landscape, offering a rare combination of affordability, cultural acceptance, and year-round availability.
In a country where over 70 per cent of the population fails to meet the recommended daily protein intake, poultry plays a vital role in bridging the nutritional gap. Its biological and logistical advantages are significant: chickens reach market weight within six to eight weeks, and their feed-to-meat conversion is among the most efficient in animal agriculture. This low production footprint allows poultry farming to thrive across scales—from industrial setups to backyard units—making high-quality protein more accessible to diverse populations.
Comparative cost efficiency
One of the key reasons poultry is a leading protein source is its cost advantage. As of May 2025, the broiler cost of production – ₹92/kg, including growing charges. Cost of table egg ₹4.75 ex-farm. Vannamei shrimp price is ₹220 for 100 counts. Fresh pork meat can range from ₹300 to ₹700 per kg, and buffalo meat is priced around ₹200 to ₹250 per kg.
Affordability directly translates into higher protein access. As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), an adult requires around 60 grams of protein daily. Chicken provides about 27 grams of protein per 100 grams, meaning that 220 grams of chicken can meet this requirement. Eggs containing approximately six grams of protein each require about 10 eggs to fulfil daily needs. Similar protein quantities from fish or red meat would cost significantly more.
High-quality, accessible nutrition
Beyond affordability, poultry also offers high biological value. Chicken and eggs are rich in essential amino acids, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and selenium—nutrients crucial for muscle development, metabolic health, and immunity. This makes them suitable for all age groups, from growing children to the elderly.
India’s poultry sector is also backed by scale. According to the 2024 Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS), India is the second-largest producer of eggs globally and ranks fifth in meat production, with over 10 million tonnes of poultry meat and 140 billion eggs produced in 2023–24.1 This scale supports a resilient supply chain, ensuring availability in cities, towns, and even remote rural mandis.
Cultural acceptability further reinforces poultry’s reach. Unlike beef or pork, chicken and eggs face minimal dietary restrictions, enabling near-universal adoption across India’s varied communities.
Backyard poultry: Small scale for large impact
At the grassroots level, poultry’s impact deepens through backyard farming. With minimal infrastructure and low start-up costs, rural households can rear poultry for both subsistence and supplemental income. Government initiatives like the National Livestock Mission (NLM) and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) have boosted participation by distributing chicks, feed, and training.2
For instance, the Haryana government’s Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana provides select rural families with 50 chicks, drinkers, and feed, enabling them to set up household-level poultry units. The model improves both nutrition and income opportunities in underserved communities. These decentralised micro-units also serve as a livelihood multiplier. The integration of indigenous poultry breeds and scientific farming methods further strengthens the resilience and productivity of backyard poultry systems.
Challenges and considerations
Despite its strengths, the poultry sector faces headwinds. Chief among them is the rising cost of feed—primarily corn—exacerbated by India’s growing ethanol demand. The country’s shift toward ethanol blending has reduced domestic corn availability, turning India into a net importer and straining poultry producers.
Additionally, infrastructure limitations hinder the storage and distribution of perishable poultry products. While India has over 8,600 cold storage facilities, nearly 75 per cent are dedicated to horticultural crops such as potatoes, leaving limited space for storing poultry products.3 This gap underscores the need for investment in cold chain infrastructure to support the poultry sector’s growth.
Conclusion
Poultry stands out as one of India’s most viable answers to nutritional insecurity. Its low cost, high nutritional value, scalability, and cultural fit make it a cornerstone of India’s protein economy. But to truly unlock its potential, strategic investments in feed security, rural infrastructure, and cold chain logistics are essential. With the right policy support and industry innovation, poultry can continue to nourish both bodies and livelihoods across India.
The author is Chairman, CLFMA of India
Published on June 8, 2025
