New Delhi, April 22, 2025 – As part of the comprehensive deliberations under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, two high-impact panel discussions were held to explore sustainable strategies for the development of poultry and goatery clusters. These discussions took place during the national consultative meeting aimed at advancing the livelihoods of smallholders, with a particular focus on rural women and marginalized farming communities. The sessions, moderated by senior officials of DAHD, brought together policy experts, representatives from state governments, academia, non-governmental organizations, and producer collectives to co-create viable models for decentralized, inclusive, and resilient poultry and goatery development.
Concluding Panel: Building a Common Minimum Framework for Poultry and Goatery Cluster Development
The final session of the day, titled the Concluding Panel, was skillfully moderated by Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD. The focus of this session was to consolidate key takeaways from earlier technical discussions and formulate a Common Minimum Framework (CMF) for the integrated and scalable development of poultry and goatery clusters across India.
Dr. Mitra opened the panel by reiterating the government’s vision of leveraging livestock clusters as engines of rural economic transformation. He emphasized the importance of an inclusive approach that aligns stakeholder efforts, supports the last-mile producer, and promotes environmental and economic sustainability. “We are at a critical juncture where our collective insights must translate into an actionable framework. This framework should not only define operational benchmarks but also reflect the aspirations of rural communities who depend on small ruminants and backyard poultry for their livelihoods,” he stated.
During the discussion, participants shared a variety of perspectives and field-level insights. Emphasis was placed on the need to standardize support structures across regions—ranging from input supply systems and veterinary services to training modules and digital monitoring tools. The CMF aims to serve as a guiding blueprint for states, encouraging customized yet consistent implementation strategies while avoiding duplication and inefficiencies.
Key pillars of the proposed framework included:
- Cluster Mapping and Prioritization: Identification of high-potential districts based on livestock census data, market linkages, and socio-economic indicators.
- Capacity Building: Structured training programs for farmers, especially women and youth, focusing on scientific rearing practices, disease management, and enterprise development.
- Convergence of Schemes: Alignment of the National Livestock Mission (NLM) with state rural livelihood missions, NABARD programs, and tribal development initiatives.
- Access to Finance: Facilitating access to credit through SHGs, cooperatives, and FPOs, supported by interest subvention and risk mitigation mechanisms.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishment of key performance indicators (KPIs) and real-time data systems for impact tracking and adaptive planning.
The panel acknowledged the diversity of conditions across states and emphasized the importance of flexibility in operationalizing the framework to account for regional variations in species preference, climate, resource availability, and socio-cultural practices.
Panel Discussion III: Strengthening Market Linkages for Poultry and Goatery Clusters
Earlier in the day, Panel Discussion III was held under the moderation of Dr. Sujit Kumar Dutta, Joint Commissioner (National Livestock Mission), DAHD. The session focused on the urgent need to strengthen both demand-side and supply-side linkages for poultry and goatery clusters, which are often fragmented and under-resourced, despite being critical sources of income and nutrition in rural India.
Dr. Dutta set the tone by highlighting that while production interventions have shown positive outcomes in recent years, the absence of robust marketing infrastructure and cohesive value chains continues to limit the profitability and scalability of small livestock enterprises. “To truly empower our farmers, we must view value chains not just as economic linkages, but as livelihood lifelines. From farm to market, we must reduce leakages, increase transparency, and create systems that reward quality and efficiency,” he asserted.
Panelists and participants engaged in a dynamic exchange of ideas, examining bottlenecks and opportunities across the poultry and goat value chains. The discussion highlighted several critical areas for intervention:
- Market Access and Aggregation: The need for rural collection centers, mobile aggregation units, and cooperative market yards to enable bulk sales, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen bargaining power.
- Cold Chain and Logistics: Establishing cold storage facilities and decentralized slaughter units to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure product quality.
- Branding and Certification: Encouraging regional branding of indigenous breeds and local products, especially in organic and antibiotic-free categories, to tap into premium markets.
- Women-Led Enterprises: Promoting gender-focused business models and leadership development among women farmers and entrepreneurs through tailored incubation support and cooperative membership.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Leveraging private sector expertise in logistics, marketing, and technology to co-develop scalable, inclusive business models.
The session also featured presentations from successful grassroots organizations and self-help groups (SHGs) that have managed to create sustainable poultry and goat farming enterprises through community-based approaches. These case studies served as evidence of the immense potential that lies in collectivized, locally adapted systems.
A Shared Vision for Inclusive Growth
Both sessions converged on the common theme of creating holistic, ecosystem-based interventions that integrate production, infrastructure, market access, and capacity-building. The collaborative spirit of the discussions was evident, with participants from across sectors committing to contribute actively towards refining and implementing the Common Minimum Framework once finalized.
A key takeaway from the day was the recognition that poultry and goatery clusters are not mere economic units—they are platforms for rural transformation. They empower women, diversify incomes, ensure protein security, and build climate resilience when properly supported.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Mitra emphasized, “The future of rural India lies in smallholder-driven models of growth. Poultry and goatery clusters hold the promise of inclusive, equitable development if backed by sound policies, integrated efforts, and persistent innovation. Let today’s discussions not end in reports, but evolve into results on the ground.”
Dr. Dutta added, “Our goal must be to create models that are not only economically viable but also socially empowering. If we design with empathy and execute with excellence, these clusters can become the pride of India’s rural economy.”
Next Steps
Following the day’s proceedings, DAHD will initiate consultations with state governments and stakeholders to finalize the draft Common Minimum Framework. A national task force may also be constituted to guide implementation and ensure cross-sectoral coordination. The finalized strategy is expected to inform upcoming interventions under the National Livestock Mission and shape budgetary priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
