November 2018 Punch PDF

ARTICLE
Key points of Organic Poultry Farming
Nitesh Kumar Singh, C.B. Singh, Namita Naula and Dushyant Sharma
Department of Livestock Production Management
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology-Pantnagar
Poultry industry has developed in to a full fledged industry with immense potentials for meating domestic market with
per capita availability of eggs and meat increasing from 18-19 eggs and 0.091 Kg. poultry meat in the year 1975 to 69
eggs and 3.6 Kg. of meat at present. With an annual output of > 88.14 billion eggs & 3.46 million tones(2016-17) broiler
meat, India ranks 3rd largest producer of eggs (after China & USA) & 5th largest producer of broiler (after USA, China,
Brazil and Mexico) in the world. The increased poultry production during last 4-5 decades was possible largely because
of a fundamental change in the view point of both, the planners and farmers. Thousands of poultry farmers have now
visualized that poultry farming is a profitable venture as a means of livelihood and economic prosperity. Today poultry
industry has been playing a very significant role in various socio- economic development programs by way of providing
self- employment, supplementary income and protective food to all the section of society especially for rural masses in the
country. A commission of FAO/ WHO codex alimentary defined organic farming as a unique production management system
which promotes and enhances Agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, soil biological activity and is accomplished by
using on farm agronomic, biological & mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off farm inputs.
The main objectives of organic farming are to established and maintain soil-plant, plant-animal and animal- soil inter
dependence and to produce a sustainable agro- ecosystem based on local resources (Biradar et. al. 2011). The establishment
of organic dairy/ poultry husbandry requires a proper care and a sufficient time. This period is called as conversion period.
This is the time interval between the start of organic management on farm and certification of the farm and its products. In
organic poultry farming the preference should be given to local/ indigenous breeds or breeds developed for rural poultry
which can thrive in organic management system. Further proper care and suitable environment should be provided where
the birds can exhibits their natural behavior.
Present status of organic poultry farming: The revolutionary changes in poultry industry in last 4-5 decades itself
is a matter of pride. In 1957 the white egg layer used to produce 210- 220 eggs with the feed efficiency of 3.4- 3.5 kg. feed
against 290-300 plus eggs with 2.5-2.6 kg. feed per kg. egg at present. IInd 55 years back six weeks broiler weight was
0.8 kg. and 3.2 kg. feed was required to produce 1 kg body weight, where as today at the same age 1.8 kg. body weight is
attained with the feed efficiency of 1.9 kg.
From last one decade due to increased health awareness and consumer preference organic farming increased day
by day throughout the world. In USA organic meat sector is growing very rapidly in which poultry meat (Chicken meat) is
prominent. Chicken meat is the most important organic meat due to its short production cycle & low cost as compared
to other livestock meat. India exported a large no. of organic agriculture product every year which are totally of plant
origin, where as India has a large no. poultry population > 729.21 millions, Even of a small shift from current conventional
production to organic poultry production can create a large market to domestic consumption as well as for export. As India
has good resources and a large poultry population there may be a vast scope for production of organic farming in export
market. The various management practices should be followed by the poultry farmers in sustainable organic poultry farming.
Organic Poultry Breeding: There is a large no. of poultry breeds/ strains which can rear for commercial and rural
poultry production, but among them few breeds/ strains are suitable for organic poultry farming. Indigenous/ local breeds
or breeds developed with organic & free range system are mind may be used for organic poultry farming. Breeds/ strains
used in intensive production and have some specific diseases or health problems should be avoided from breeding purpose.
Natural breeding method should be used. For improve the fertility A.I. can be used under guidance of technical expert or
veterinary experts. Any hormonal treatment should be avoided for improve the growth and egg production point of view.
Some breeds which have developed by different organization for rural poultry farming and have better performance can be
selected for organic poultry farming. Among them some are as under:
Table.1: Breeds/ verities developed for rural poultry farming:
Sl. Breed/ variety Type Institution Remarks
1. Vanaraja Dual purpose PDR, Hyderabad Better immune competence
2. Giriraja -do- -do- Suitable for meat& egg
3. CARI Gold -do- CARI, Izzatnagar -do-
4. CARI Nirbhik -do- CARI, Izzatnagar -do-
5. CARI Shayama -do- CARI, Izzatnagar -do-
6. CARI Hitcari -do- CARI, Izzatnagar -do-
7. Nico- rock -do- CARI, Portblair Suitable for hot humid costal
area
110 November, 2018