Strong Growth in Indian Poultry

NEW DELHI - Oct 18/04 - SNS -- Poultry production in India has grown steadily during the past decade, resulting in vastly improved availability of eggs and broiler chickens, reports the country's agriculture department.

The country produced 800 million broilers in 2002 as compared to 350 million in 1995. The production of poultry meat in 2002 was 975,000 tons as compared to 578,000 tons in 1995. Likewise, the output of eggs was 35,000 million in 2002 as compared to 27,275 million in 1995.

Poultry meat is largely processed in the unorganized sector. However, with the large increase in broiler production, a number of poultry processing plants have been set up in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries provides financial assistance for setting up, modernization and expansion of poultry and meat processing units @ 25% and 33.33% of the cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works respectively subject to a maximum of Rs.5 million in general areas and Rs.7.5 million in difficult areas.

Financial aid is also provided for modernization of abattoir to promote hygienic slaughter and better product utilization.