The Directorate coordinates and monitors the network project of All India Coordinated Project on Poultry Breeding, being implemented in a total of 12 centres located in different Agricultural/Veterinary Universities and ICAR institutes. During 2023-24, 12 centres of Poultry Seed Project was merged with AICRP on PB. The main objectives of the project were development of location specific chicken varieties, conservation, improvement, characterization and application of local native, elite layer and broiler germplasm; development of package of practices for village poultry and entrepreneurships in rural, tribal and backyard areas. In addition, KVASU, Mannuthy and AAU, Anand centres are to maintain two elite layer germplasm (IWN and IWP). KVAFSU, Bangalore, GADVASU, Ludhiana, OUAT, Bhubaneswar and ICAR-CARI, Izatnagar are to maintain four elite broiler germplasm (PB-1, PB-2, CSML and CSFL). Two pedigreed random bred control populations (one for layer and the other for broiler) were evaluated and reproduced at the Directorate. Samples of hatching eggs from these populations are being sent to different centres of AICRP on Poultry Breeding to measure the genetic progress.
The ‘Rural Poultry’ component of the project was initiated with one centre at Agartala in 2001. Subsequently, it was expanded to six centres during XI plan with the sole objective of development of location-specific rural poultry varieties.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has initiated “Poultry Seed Project” during the XI five year plan and sanctioned twelve centers. The main objectives of are production of improved poultry seed to target production enhancement of egg and meat covering 5,000-15,000 farm families per annum/centre for augmenting rural poultry production, socio-economic indexing of the target groups and linking small scale poultry producers with organized market. Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad as the Nodal Coordinating Unit, co-ordinates and monitors the activities of different centres on routine basis. The seed project was launched on 15th May 2009 with a total budget out lay of Rs. 913.2 lakhs for the XI plan period. The revised target set for supplying chicks for main land and north east centers are 0.5 and 1.0 lakhs chicks per annum, respectively and to collect feedback on the performance of the germplasm.
Objectives
The objectives of AICRP on Poultry Breeding are as follows:
⦁ To develop location-specific chicken varieties and their dissemination for village poultry.
⦁ Conservation, improvement, characterization and application of local native and elite layer and broiler germplasm.
⦁ To develop package of practices for village poultry and entrepreneurships in rural, tribal and backyard areas etc.
Coordinating Team
Director: Dr. R. N. Chatterjee, Director
AICRP Cell Team:
⦁ Dr. U. Rajkumar, Chairman.
⦁ Dr. S. S. Paul, Member
⦁ Dr. M. Niranjan, Member
⦁ Dr. Santosh Haunshi, Member
⦁ Dr. L. Leslie Leo Prince, Member
⦁ Dr. Shanmugam, M, Member
⦁ Dr. Aneet Kour, Member
Email: dpraicrp@gmail.com , aicrp.dpr@icar.gov.in
Webpage: https://aicrp.icar.gov.in/poultry/
Significant Achievements
The major objective of the AICRP on poultry breeding was to develop high yielding strains for improving the productivity of the layer and broiler populations in the country. The research on commercial poultry varieties was initiated during IV five plan during 1970 onwards. Rural component was added in 2000-01 and subsequently the project was completely oriented towards rural poultry from 2014-15 with major emphasis on development of location specific chicken varieties and conservation of indigenous chicken breeds. The research work was focused towards varietal development along with nutrition, housing, management and health care practices for the two plan periods. A total of seven chicken varieties for commercial intensive farming and six location specific chicken varieties for rural poultry farming have been developed and released for commercial exploitation.
During the year 2023-24, a total of 9.76 lakhs of improved chicken germplasm has been distributed to the farmers across the country from different centres of AICRP on Poultry Breeding and Poultry Seed Project. An amount of Rs. 345.77 lakhs revenue was generated by supplying the improved chicken germplasm.
The varieties developed at AICRP on Poultry Breeding centres are detailed below.
Commercial varieties
Layer varieties
• Athulya (KAU, Mannuthy),
• ILR-90 ( ANGRAU/SVVU, Hyderabad)
• ILI-80 (CARI, Izatnagar),
• Anand Commercial layer (AAU, Anand)
Broiler varieties
• B-77 and IBL-91 (CARI, Izatnagar),
• IBL-80 ( PAU, Ludhiana) and
• IBB-83 (UAS, Bangalore).
Location specific rural poultry varieties
• Pratapdhan
• Narmadanidhi
• Kamrupa
• Jharsim
• Himsamridhi
• Tokbarii
Impact of the technologies
The major objective of AICRP on Poultry Breeding was to develop high yielding chicken varieties for commercial and rural poultry farming and to accomplish two major social obligations viz. minimizing the curse of the protein malnutrition and to ensure the supplemental income from poultry rearing / farming, thereby improving the economic status of mainly poor and landless farmers, weaker sections of the society. In addition, the adoption of technology by the target people will generate local and self-employment, restrict migration to the urban areas, develop cooperative network and better marketing, and encourage women empowerment.
Performance and profit realized from the varieties developed by AICRP on Poultry Breeding have been able to convince the policy planners and development agencies that this technology is highly relevant and practically feasible in the rural and tribal parts of India. Keeping in view the Govt of India identified these birds for the upliftment of the poor landless laborers in rural and tribal areas under the Backyard poultry. The publicity and impact generated through the print and electronic media along with technical support from the Directorate have been able to propagate the technology across all the states of the country. Several success stories documented by the team in videos speak itself about the worthiness of the technology and impact it had made on the life of the farmers throughout the country. Several queries from farmers during exhibitions of the germplasm are indicators of the popularity and performance of the varieties. Further, on-farm training of one week duration of the farmers and Veterinarians at the Directorate and AICRP centres have popularized and dessiminated the improved location specific chicken varieties to the nook and corners of the state and country. The project played a significant role in adopting the commercial poultry farming in the initial days where in the research work was concentrated on development of high yielding broiler and layer strains. The results of the project attracted many entrepreneurs in 1970s to poultry farming and subsequently it has become a multibillion industry in next 30-40 years.
A total of 136.60 lakhs of improved chicken germplasm was distributed to the farmers through 12 centres of AICRP on Poultry Breeding spread across the country. The faster growth rate and higher egg production up to 1.5 to 2 times of these birds as compared to native chickens which increased their acceptability amongst the farmers across the country. The project played a significant role in improving the nutritional security of the rural and tribal peoples in addition to the additional income. Another significant achievement of the project is the women empowerment, where in the backyard poultry is mostly managed by women farmers. AICRP
on Poultry Breeding is the key point of chicks supply for improved germplasm in many parts of country. In the last ten years, annually, about 12.33 thousand stakeholders were benefited through these birds whereas, since inception about 273.21 thousand stakeholders were benefited. However, these numbers are mostly from late 80s and 90s onwards from where the commercial germplasm distribution started. The AICRP on Poultry Breeding is contributing an estimated amount of Rs. 25.44 crore/year to the Indian economy. Chicken meat and eggs are the major source of protein for millions of people in India especially, rural and tribal people. During the last 30-35 years, about 8388.45 tons of protein has been added to Indian food plate. In last ten years, the annual estimated protein quantity is about 378.72 tonnes from eggs and chicken meat produced from the project. Based on the last 10 years data, AICRP on poultry Breeding is contributing about 32.07 million eggs to total egg production and 656.21 tons of estimated chicken meat per annum. AICRP on Poultry Breeding has been contributing significantly tothe rural economy by providing the nutritional security, improving the health condition and adding to the family income resulting in improved livelihood status of the rural and tribal people of the country.
PI and Contact details of AICRP-PB Centres
Dr. S. Sankaralingam
Senior Scientist, I/C. AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy – 680 651, Thrissur, Kerala
Email: poultryaicrp@kvasu.ac.in; sankaralingam@kvasu.ac.in Mob: 9495535500; 9447688783
Dr. F. P. Savaliya
I/C. AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Principal Scientist & Head Poultry Research Station
Veterinary and Animal Science Research and Extension Unit (VASREU)
Kamdhenu University, Anand-388110 (Gujarat) Mobile No. : 9537913412
E-mail: fpsavaliya@kamdhenuuni.edu.in, prsand@kamdhenuuni.edu.in (Office)
Dr. Naveen Kumar G.S.
Professor & I/C, AICRP on Poultry Breeding,
Department of Poultry Science. Veterinary College,
Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Hebbal, Bengaluru – 560024. email: gsnaveenkumar@yahoo.com Mob: 9845376538
Dr. Saroj Kumar Sahoo
I/C. AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Assistant Professor (AG&B), Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding College of Veterinary Sciences (COVS),
Guru Anand Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana – 141004, Punjab.
email: saroj6804@gmail.com Phone: 8930938355
Dr. Simmi Tomar
Principal Scientist, AG&B Division, ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar – 243122, Bareilly, U.P email: simmi1968@gmail.com, simmitomar@rediffmail.com Phone : 7906361577
Dr. Lipismita Samal
I/C. AICRP on Poultry Breeding,
College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT),
Bhubaneshwar – 751003, Odisha email: oicaicrppoultry.ouat@gmail.com Phone: 8847860677
Dr. Vinay Singh
I/C. AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Scientist, ICAR Research complex for N.E.H. Region,
Tripura Centre, Lembucherra – 799210, Tripura (West). email: vinvet1@gmail.com
Phone: 8974609227
Dr. Vaishali Khare
I/C. AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Department of Animals Generals & Breeding,
College of Veterinary Sc. & Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Adhartal, Jabalpur-482004 (MP).
email: vaishalikhare0429@gmail.com Phone:7999523643
Dr. Mihir Sarma
I/C. AICRP On Poultry Breeding &
Junior Scientist (Science), Directorate of Research (Vety), Assam Agricultural University ,Khanapara,
Guwahati-781022
email: mihirsarma21@gmail.com Phone: 9435087901
Dr. Ravinder Kumar
I/C. AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Assistant Professor
Department of Livestock production and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi – 834006. Jharkand.
email:ravindrakumar_bau@rediffmail.com
Phone: 7004815764
Dr. Varun Sankhyan
I/C. AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, CSKHPKV, Kangra, Palampur -176062, HP.
email: sankhyan@gmail.com Phone: 9418534054
Dr. Siddhartha Mishra
I/C. AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Assoc. Prof. & Head Department of Animal Production, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur – 313 001, Rajasthan
email: drsiddharthamishra@gmail.com Phone: 9414978472
Prof. Azmat Alam Khan
Associate Director Research & OSD to Vice Chancellor
PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Division of LPM, FVSc & AH, SKUAST-K, Srinagar J&K 190006
email: azmatalamkhan@gmail.com. Phone: 9796936363
Dr. Pankaj Kumar
PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Associate professor and Head, Vety. & AH Extension Education.
Bihar Veterinary College,
Bihar Animal Sciences University Patna. Bihar 800014. email: drpankajvet69@gmail.com.
Phone: 9835676663
Dr. S.T. Selvan
Dean and PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding College of Poultry Production and Management Mathigiri, Hosur- 635 110
email: deancppm@tanuvas.org.in Phone: 9444227466
Dr. Mahak Singh
Scientist & PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding, ICAR RC for NEH Region Nagaland Centre, Medziphema – 797 106, Nagaland.
email: mahaksinghivri@gmail.com Phone: 9474939889
Dr. Chongtham Sonia
Scientist and PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding
ICAR RC for NEH Region Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat,
Imphal, Manipur – 795 004 email: drsonia.vet@gmail.com Phone : 8954011374
Dr. Ramgopal Devadas
HORC & PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding,
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre Tadong, Gangtok,
Sikkim-737 102
email: jdsikkim.icar@gmail.com
Dr. T. Sujatha
Senior Scientist & PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Portblair, A&N Islands 744101.
email: drsujathaars@rediffmail.com.
Phone: 9531818976
Dr. Nibedita Nayak
Scientist & PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding,
ICAR – Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute Old Goa, Panaji, Goa 403 402.
email: drnibeditavet@gmail.com. Phone: 7252925732
Dr. Sourabh Deori
Senior Scientist & PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umroi Road, Umiam-793103, Meghalaya.
email: sourabhd1@rediffmail.com.
Phone: 9401274039
Dr. P. Amareswari
PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding Livestock Research Station
P V Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University Mamnoor, Warangal, Telangana – 506166
email: amarvety@yahoo.com Phone: 9440566429
Dr. S. Shakila
Professor and Head, PI, AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Department of Poultry Science,
College of Vety. Sciences, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati, A.P.
email: drshakilas@yahoo.co.in. Phone: 9440167225
