The Story of PoultryTech Innovation Council: Transforming the Poultry Industry for a Digital Future

The poultry industry is one of the cornerstones of agriculture, yet it remains underserved in terms of adopting the latest technology to enhance production, streamline supply chains, and improve business practices. Recognizing this gap, we envisioned a transformative solution: a digital ecosystem designed to empower every stakeholder in the poultry value chain. Farmers, veterinarians, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, policymakers, institutions, and innovators would come together under one roof, collaborating to drive meaningful change.

The seed for this vision was planted during a conversation between myself, an ERP specialist with experience in building tailored solutions since 2005, and Mr. Prabhaharan, a second-generation poultry farmer. After working with large tech companies, Prabhaharan took over his family’s poultry business and faced significant challenges in managing operations. As he puts it:

“Once I took over operations from my father, I struggled a lot to prepare even a single review report. Everything was recorded on paper by different departments like farm supervisors, delivery drivers, feed mill in-charges, and accountants at separate locations in separate books. Consolidating weekly and monthly reports was almost impossible at the level I expected. I even found financial losses due to manual errors. This drove me to realize that ERP was critically important. After implementing the collaborative system, my days are running almost on autopilot mode, saving me 90% of my day-to-day operation time. IoT integration improved feed efficiency by 20% and yield by 4%. This doubled our profit within six months.”

Image Placeholder: Photo of Prabhaharan working with IoT devices on his farm.

Motivated by these challenges, we worked together to build a poultry-specific solution, integrating IoT devices for feed and water monitoring, environmental sensors, and achieving nearly 90% paperless operations. These innovations formed the foundation for PoultryTech Innovation Council (PTIC) as we sought to share these benefits with every farmer. Guided by our tagline, “Empowering Poultry, Enriching Lives“, PTIC is committed to fostering collaboration, innovation, and a pay-it-forward community.

To deepen our understanding of the industry, Prabhaharan and I traveled extensively across poultry production clusters like Palladam, Hyderabad, Pune, Hospet, and Namakkal, as well as consumption centers like Bangalore and Chennai. We studied different industry practices, reviewed consumption trends, and examined the transformation of the branded egg/meat market. Our journey included visits to multiple poultry expos, meetings with producers, and interactions with stakeholders across the value chain. This deep-dive exploration provided invaluable insights into the importance of collaborative initiatives like PTIC and the need to include every stakeholder in building a robust ecosystem.

Image Placeholder: Collage of travel photos from various clusters, interacting with farmers and stakeholders.

As we began outlining our mission, we identified several key areas where such a council could make a significant difference: increasing technology awareness, providing technical skill-development for operators, promoting managerial best practices, creating forums for knowledge sharing and meaningful discussions, connecting aspiring beginners with top experts, and establishing incubation and R&D infrastructure. Additionally, we saw a critical need to support startups with the resources required to create innovative solutions tailored to the industry’s unique challenges. Our mission is clear: connect 1,000 technology providers, empower 10,000 supply chain stakeholders, and impact the lives of 100,000 poultry producers to create a sustainable, thriving future for the industry.

Statistic Highlight: “Over 70% of poultry farms in India still rely on manual processes, leading to inefficiencies and avoidable losses.”

In an era where digitalization is not just an option but a necessity, we prioritized integrating technology into every aspect of this initiative. To gauge the need and interest within the industry, we conducted an initial survey. The overwhelmingly positive response reinforced our belief in this vision and emboldened us to take the next step.

The Journey: From Vision to Action

With this strong foundation, we decided to pilot our concept by organizing a one-day summit coupled with a mini-expo on June 29, 2024, in Namakkal. The event was a resounding success, far exceeding our expectations. Stakeholders from across the industry—including farmers, associations, veterinarians, District Industries Centre officials, StartupTN, Agri Incubation, Namakkal Veterinary College, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, startups, and institutions—came together to engage in discussions, share insights, and explore opportunities. We also associated with National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) and Tamilnadu Poultry Farmers Association (TNPFA) to ensure greater representation and collaboration within the industry.

Image Placeholder: Group photo from the June 2024 summit inauguration with key stakeholders.

The event featured a rich agenda with keynote sharing, panel discussions, fireside chats with industry experts, and case studies showcasing industry trends. Over 40 stalls at the expo demonstrated cutting-edge technology solutions tailored for poultry operations, showcasing the feasibility of integrating automation and IoT for improved efficiency. The diverse attendee distribution—with 30% farmers, 15% veterinarians, 10% government stakeholders, and representatives from startups, investors, poultry associations, and consumers—highlighted the inclusivity and broad appeal of PTIC’s initiatives. For a comprehensive overview of the June 2024 summit, including detailed outcomes, testimonials, and photos, visit our Event Report.

Image Placeholder: Photos of stalls, keynote speeches, and attendees engaging during the summit.

One participant, remarked:

“From AI to automation, the sessions were eye-opening. We’re now better equipped to navigate the challenges of modern poultry farming.”
Dr. N Jagadeesh from Kemin Industries

Such testimonials underscore the value created by PTIC in fostering collaboration and driving actionable insights.

Building on this momentum, we are introducing the PoultryTech Hackathon at our next summit, offering prize money of ₹50,000, free company formation legal support, domain expert mentorship, and investor connection programs. We have also proposed the creation of a poultry-specific chapter under StartupTN to the government, further cementing our commitment to fostering innovation.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter

Building on this momentum, we are excited to announce our next summit, scheduled for January 25, 2025, at Le Meridien, Coimbatore. This time, we are diving deeper, with a thematic focus on Breeders and Broilers, the backbone of poultry production. The summit will also feature the launch of PoultryConnect, a mobile-based community platform designed to foster continuous discussions, networking, and resource sharing among stakeholders. Additionally, we are developing PoultryAcademy, a multilingual LMS platform offering video courses from industry experts to enhance skill development across the ecosystem. Learn more about PoultryConnect and PoultryAcademy.

Recognizing the need for localized efforts, we are establishing PTIC local chapters to facilitate monthly gatherings in major poultry clusters, convened by pay-it-forward volunteers. These chapters will create opportunities for knowledge sharing, addressing local challenges, and aligning with PTIC’s unified agenda. To institutionalize our efforts, PTIC has been incorporated as a Section 8 company (Non-Profit), ensuring inclusivity by involving stakeholders at the director and advisory board levels.

The Impact: A Future of Possibilities

The PoultryTech Innovation Council is not just about events—it’s about creating a movement that transforms the poultry industry for the better. For farmers, this means access to cutting-edge tools, practices, and support to increase efficiency and profitability. For technology providers and innovators, it’s a platform to showcase solutions and collaborate with industry leaders. Policymakers gain a clearer understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities, enabling informed decision-making.

Image Placeholder: Visual representation of PoultryConnect and PoultryAcademy platforms.

At its core, our mission is to empower stakeholders with knowledge, resources, and networks that drive sustainable growth. By fostering collaboration, encouraging innovation, and embracing digital transformation, we aim to make the poultry industry more resilient, efficient, and future-ready. As the global population grows, PTIC’s initiatives align with the need for sustainable farming practices and food security to meet the demands of future generations.

This journey is not just about improving business outcomes—it’s about uplifting communities, creating jobs, and ensuring food security for a growing population. Together, we are building a vibrant, tech-enabled poultry ecosystem that embodies the spirit of paying it forward. The PoultryTech Innovation Council is more than an initiative—it’s a vision for a better, connected future for the poultry industry.

Join the Movement: Be Part of PTIC

The PoultryTech Innovation Council is on a mission to transform the poultry industry through innovation, collaboration, and shared success. By joining PTIC, you become a part of a transformative movement that empowers the poultry industry to thrive through inclusivity and progress.

Why Join?

Access cutting-edge tools and insights to boost efficiency and profitability.
Connect with industry leaders and innovators to exchange ideas and drive solutions.
Contribute to shaping a sustainable, tech-enabled future for poultry farming.

Act Now: Submit your interest today to join PTIC and participate in our initiatives, events, and local chapters. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this transformative journey ahead of the January 2025 summit!