Career and Self Employment Opportunities in Poultry Science
Career and Self Employment Opportunities in
Poultry Science
Dr.A.K.Panda and Dr.B.C.Das
Poultry is one of the fastest growing
segments of the agricultural sector in India with an average growth rate of 8 to 10
per cent per annum. As a result, India is now the world's 3rd
largest egg producer (next to China and USA) and 5th major producer of
broiler chicken meat (after USA, China, Brazil and Mexico). The poultry sector contributes about
Rs. 33,000 crore to national GNP and likely to reach to about Rs.60, 000 crore
in the next five years. With a turnover of more than 352 billion rupees, this
sector provides direct and indirect employment to over 3 million people in the
country and has great potential to create employment opportunities with every
increase of egg/meat consumption. In spite of spectacular growth in poultry
sector in the last four decades, there exists huge gap between availability and
requirement of poultry products. The present yearly per capita availability of
egg is 46 against the requirement of 180 eggs. Similarly, against the yearly
per capita requirement of 11 kg of meat, only about 1.8 kg poultry meat is
available per head. Therefore, to meet the domestic requirement, there is a
need for about 4 times increase in egg production and six times in meat
production. If taken into account the domestic requirement as well as India's share of export market, there is
existence of huge production gap of poultry products in the country. Increase
in population growth, changing life style, shifting of food habits, rapid
urbanization, increased per capita income, increase awareness on health,
increase in size of young population, etc., are contributing towards more
demand on poultry products. In the current market scenario, the poultry
products are cheapest source of animal protein of high biological value. This
increased demand of poultry products is expected to create more than 10 million
jobs of various categories in poultry industry.
Career Opportunities in
Poultry Science:
Career opportunities in poultry science
are plenty. One may opt for research, education, business, consultant, manager,
breeder, advertiser, poultry house designer, production technologist, processing
technologist, feeding technologist, value addition technologist, poultry
economist, etc. and many more depending upon the aptitude and qualification. A
person wants to become a poultry specialist and interested to pursue
specialized jobs has to complete first B.V.Sc and A.H (Bachelor of Veterinary
Science and Animal Husbandry). The minimum
qualification is 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) for completion of the B.V.Sc and AH. After completion of graduation degree, one may opt for
postgraduate programme of M.V.Sc (Master of Veterinary Science) and Ph.D. in poultry related disciplines to
become a specialist.
List
of universities/institutes offering post graduation/Ph.D. courses in poultry
science
Sl.No
Universities/Institutes
Campus
1.
Anand
Agricultural University
Anand,
Gujurat
2.
Assam
Agricultural University
Khanapara
3.
Indian
Veterinary Research Institute/Central Avian Research Institute
Izatnagar,
Uttar Pradesh
4.
J K
Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya
Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
5.
Karnataka
Veterinary and AnimalScienceUniversity
Bangalore and Bidar
6.
Kerala
Agricultural University
Mannuthy
7.
Maharastra
Animal and FisheriesScienceUniversity
Nagpur, Akola, Mumbai and Parbani
8.
OrissaUniversity of Agriculture and Technology
Bhubaneswar
9.
Sri
Venkateswar University of Veterinary and Fisheries
Tirupati
and Hyderabad
10.
Tamil
Nadu Veterinary and AnimalScienceUniversity
Chennai
and Namakhal
11.
UP Pt.
Deen Dayal Upadhay Pasu Chikitsha Vigyan Viswavidyalaya evam Go Anusandhan
Anusthan
Mathura
12
RajivGandhiCollege of Veterinary & Animal Sciences,
Pondicherry
However,
for general types of job in poultry industry like farm manager, sales manager,
input manager, plant manager, etc, one may not require to have essentially
degree of B.V.Sc and A.H.to start a career. He/ She may opt for the certificate
or diploma programmes offered by different institutes in the country to become
eligible to various general types of job in poultry industry. Some of the
institutes offering diploma/certificate and skill development training
programmes in poultry science are-
1.Central
Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), Mumbai, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh
2.Indira
Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
3.Central
Avian Research Institute (CARI), Izatnagar 243 122 U.P.
4.Poultry
Diagnostic Research Centre(PDRC), Pune
5.Indian
Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar 243 122, U.P.
6.National
Institute of Open Schooling
7.KrishnaKantaHandiqueState Open University
8.AnnamalaiUniversity
9.Dr.
B. V. Rao Institute of Poultry Management & Technology (IPMT) Pune (M.S)
412 202
The list is indicative only. Perspective candidates may
enquire the institute of their interest regarding the offering of various
courses on poultry science. The BV Rao Institute of Poultry management and
Technology, Pune offers the following courses regularly.
1.Basic
Commercial Poultry Management Course
2.Orientation/Guidance
Course for Existing farmers
3.Advanced
Course for Large scale poultry farming
4.Feed
Formulation & Feed Analyses course for Feed manufacturers
5.Hatchery
Management course for Persons engaged in Hatchery
6.Appreciation
Course in Poultry Management for Non-technical/Financial persons
Employment
Opportunities:
There are various avenues of job opportunities for those who
opt for poultry science as their career. Depending upon one's qualification and
academic background, one can find job in academic field as assistant professor,
in research organizations as researcher and scientist, in central and state
department as subject matter specialist and manager of poultry farms.
Similarly, very good numbers of jobs are available in private poultry and
related industries for the poultry science graduates. Besides, one may opt for
consultancy and self employment in poultry business.Remuneration
for poultry science professionals is very attractive. In the central and state
governments, one may expect salary between Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month
depending upon his qualifications. In research and teaching institutions,
salary vary between Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000 per month. In private poultry farms depending
upon one's qualification and experience, one may get anything between Rs.
20,000 to Rs.75,000 per month.
(Dr.A.K.Panada is the Senior
Scientist of Project Directorate on Poultry (PDP), Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR),Hyderabad and Dr.B.C.Das is the Asst. Professor,
Centre for Rural Credit and Development Banking, National Institute of Rural
Development (NIRD), Hyderabad)