Empowering the Future: Third Generation Poultry Entrepreneurs
In our April 2024 issue, we are thrilled to present an enlightening discussion with Mr. Harsh Gupta, a visionary leader and the driving force behind Khushboo Feed Mills. Mr. Harsh Gupta epitomizes the essence of third-generation poultry entrepreneurs, bringing innovation and excellence to every aspect of broiler farming as the Director overseeing the Integration Division at Khushboo Feed Mills.
With a solid foundation in business management and a passion for the poultry sector, Mr. Gupta graduated from the esteemed IILM Institute for Higher Education. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, further complemented by specialized training in broiler management from the renowned Dr. B.V. Rao Institute of Poultry Management and Technology. His education and expertise converge to shape his visionary leadership, driving Khushboo Feed Mills towards unparalleled success in the industry.
Persistence, adaptability, and unwavering passion will serve as your guiding lights through the inevitable challenges and uncertainties of entrepreneurship in the poultry industry.
-Harsh Gupta
Poultry Creations: Mr. Harsh, could you please provide a brief overview of your background and role within Khushboo Feed Mills? How did you become involved with the company and what responsibilities do you hold in shaping the company’s strategies, innovations and overall direction in the poultry industry?
Harsh Gupta: As the Director of Khushboo Feed Mills, I bring a wealth of expertise cultivated through rigorous education and specialized training. With a foundation laid in business management at the esteemed Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM), I further honed my skills in broiler management through comprehensive training at the Dr. B.V. Rao Institute of Poultry Management and Technology.
The enduring legacy of my esteemed family members, particularly my late grandfather, Sh. Prem Chand Gupta, who founded our business in 1971, followed by my uncle, Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, and my father, Mr. Rajeev Gupta, underscores a tradition of unwavering dedication to our family enterprise, serving as an enduring source of inspiration. It is their commitment and vision that instilled in me a deep appreciation for the poultry sector’s. As the third generation in the business, I am driven by their example to contribute my expertise to the continued success of Khushboo Feed Mills.
Additionally, upon entering the poultry industry, my first and foremost role was to oversee the care and management of our broiler birds at the ground level, ensuring their health and optimal growth. With this practice, we aim to produce the best quality broiler birds with a low FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) for our Integration Farmers and commercial farmers so that they can maximize their profits.
My role is pivotal in shaping the strategic direction of Khushboo Feed Mills within the dynamic poultry industry landscape. Charged with guiding overarching strategies, fostering innovation, and ensuring operational excellence, I am dedicated to driving the company towards sustained growth and industry leadership.
In this capacity, I am driven by a profound commitment to excellence, seeking to capitalize on emerging opportunities, optimize operational efficiencies, and cultivate enduring partnerships within the poultry industry. My overarching goal is to uphold Khushboo Feed Mills’ reputation as a trailblazer in poultry production while continuously striving for innovation and sustainable growth.
Poultry Creations: How do you think technology will change broiler farming in the future? What new inventions do you think will make the biggest difference?
Harsh Gupta: Technology in broiler farming brings significant opportunities for modernization and increased efficiency. Automation, data analytics, and genetic advancements are key drivers of this transformation. Automation reduces labor and optimizes resource use, while IoT sensors provide real-time data for monitoring. Data analytics offers insights into bird health and behavior, while genetic improvements enhance disease resistance and meat quality. Precision feeding minimizes waste and environmental impact. In summary, technology has immense potential to revolutionize broiler farming, boosting efficiency and sustainability. Embracing innovations in automation, data analytics, and genetics positions farmers for continued growth and innovation.
Poultry Creations: How has the guidance and support provided by your father, Mr. Rajeev Gupta, and your uncle, Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, both Directors at Khushboo Feed Mills Pvt. Ltd., influenced and contributed to your approach and success within the poultry farming industry?
Harsh Gupta: The guidance and support provided by my father, Mr. Rajeev Gupta, and my uncle, Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, both Directors at Khushboo Feed Mills Pvt. Ltd., have been invaluable to my approach and success within the poultry farming industry. With over four decades of experience, their strategic foresight and dedication serve as guiding pillars. Their hands-on approach instills accountability and professionalism among our team, fostering an environment of continuous improvement.
Their extensive industry network opens doors to collaboration and market expansion opportunities. Their insights position us as industry leaders, enabling us to capitalize on emerging trends. They prioritize benefiting farmers, producing top-quality poultry feed at competitive prices, while also emphasizing sustainable practices and community engagement.
In essence, Directors Mr. Rajeev and Sanjeev Gupta Ji shape our collective ethos, inspiring us to strive for excellence in the dynamic poultry farming industry. Their leadership and commitment continue to drive Khushboo Feed Mills toward success and innovation. Rajeev Ji and Sanjeev Gupta Ji embody values of integrity, ethics, and social responsibility, which serve as guiding principles for our company’s operations.
Poultry Creations: How does your company make broiler farming sustainable? What plans do you have to keep it environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long term?
Harsh Gupta: At Khushboo Feed Mills, sustainability is core to our ethos, driving responsible stewardship of resources in broiler farming. We prioritize eco-friendly practices like waste management, renewable energy, and biodiversity promotion.
Future plans include more eco-tech investments and collaborations for sustainability. Overall, sustainability guides all our operations, ensuring environmental protection and farm resilience for the future.
Poultry Creations: How do you manage poultry health and feeding to keep costs down while meeting production goals?
Harsh Gupta: In addition to our proactive approach to poultry health through monitoring, vaccination programs, and stringent biosecurity measures, we continuously seek innovative ways to enhance the cost-effectiveness of our health and feeding management practices.For poultry health, we invest in regular health checks and diagnostics to identify potential issues early on, allowing for timely intervention and treatment, thus minimizing the risk of disease outbreaks and associated production losses. Moreover, our comprehensive vaccination programs are strategically designed to provide immunity against prevalent diseases, reducing the need for costly treatments and mitigating the impact of illness on flock performance.
In terms of feeding management, we prioritize optimization of feed formulations and feed conversion efficiency to maximize nutritional value while minimizing costs. Through meticulous analysis of nutritional requirements and utilization of high-quality ingredients, we strive to formulate feeds that meet the specific needs of our birds at each stage of growth, ensuring optimal health and performance while minimizing waste.
Overall, our approach to poultry health and feeding management is guided by a commitment to cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. By implementing proactive health measures, optimizing feed formulations, and leveraging strategic sourcing strategies, we are able to achieve optimal performance and profitability while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and product quality.
Poultry Creations: How important is keeping records and managing data for making decisions in your poultry farming business?
Harsh Gupta: Accurate records and effective data management are essential for informed decision-making. This practice enables us to identify trends, track performance metrics, and make timely adjustments to optimize operations and profitability.
Poultry Creations: Rising feed prices are a significant common issue today and in the future. What are your strategies to mitigate the impact of this challenge and ensure continued success in the poultry industry?
Harsh Gupta: In response to the challenge posed by escalating feed prices, our organization implements a robust and multifaceted strategy aimed at mitigating financial risks and ensuring the continued success of our poultry farming operations. Central to our approach is the optimization of feed efficiency through meticulous formulation adjustments and utilization of alternative ingredients, allowing us to maintain high nutritional standards while minimizing costs.
Furthermore, we proactively engage in negotiations with suppliers to secure favourable contracts and pricing arrangements, leveraging our purchasing power and industry relationships to mitigate the impact of market fluctuations. To enhance our resilience against supply chain disruptions, especially during crop ripening seasons, we maintain strategic stockpiles of raw materials, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential inputs.
Additionally, our knowledge and experience in the poultry industry enable us to make crucial decisions that help maintain our feed prices. We also extend our gratitude to the government for frequently taking initiatives and steps to stabilize essential raw material rates, which further supports our efforts in managing costs effectively.
Poultry Creations: What specific support or assistance do you believe the government could provide to enhance the growth and sustainability of the poultry farming?
Harsh Gupta: Government support is instrumental in fostering the growth and sustainability of poultry farming in India. Subsidized bank credit, regulatory reforms, and infrastructure development enhance efficiency and market access. Raising awareness about poultry’s affordability and nutritional value can address protein deficiency, especially among economically disadvantaged communities, improving public health. Poultry’s economic importance can significantly boost protein consumption nationwide.
To support the livestock sector, Animal Husbandry Department, Govt. of India has initiated several measures. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, and with guidance from Shri Parshottam Rupala Ji, Hon’ble Union Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries of India 30,000 crore Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) being implemented from June 2020, which has now been further extended for next three years. The key objectives of the scheme are to fulfil the objective of protein enriched quality food requirement of the growing population of the country and prevent malnutrition. The support is also provided for Meat processing and value addition infrastructure and establishment of animal feed plants including poultry feed.
Furthermore, initiatives such as providing the L.P.A.I (H9N2) vaccine for the poultry industry, spearheaded by Dr. Sanjeev Balyan Ji, Union Minister of State, Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Dairying of India, underscore the government’s commitment to agricultural welfare and sustainable growth.
Poultry Creations: What advice do you have for new poultry entrepreneurs aiming for success in the industry?
Harsh Gupta: For aspiring poultry entrepreneurs, embarking on this journey requires a multifaceted approach. Prioritize education by seeking out courses or workshops in poultry management to build a solid foundation of knowledge. Gain hands-on experience through internships or apprenticeships to understand the practical aspects of poultry farming. Foster industry networks by attending conferences, joining associations, and connecting with experienced professionals for mentorship and guidance. Embrace innovation by staying updated on emerging technologies and best practices to improve efficiency and competitiveness. Above all, maintain a relentless focus on quality and customer satisfaction, as building trust and loyalty are essential for long-term success. Persistence, adaptability, and unwavering passion will serve as your guiding lights through the inevitable challenges and uncertainties of entrepreneurship in the poultry industry.
Poultry Creations: What is your vision for the future of broiler farming integration?
Harsh Gupta: The future of broiler farming integration relies on a strategic fusion of advanced technologies, sustainable practices, and collaborative partnerships across the value chain. Farmers and integration companies must synergize efforts to optimize efficiency, productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship. Guiding farmers in adopting new technologies minimizes production costs, fostering incentives for mutual prosperity.
Efficient distribution, investments in cold chain infrastructure, and high-capacity processing plants are crucial. Integrated production and market transition to chilled and frozen products are key for industry growth in India. Integrated poultry processing plants ensure stability against market price fluctuations for farms with 5000 – 10,000 broilers capacity through predetermined fixed prices.
Domestic demand surged since mid-2020, driven by increased e-commerce and home delivery amid Covid-19 lockdowns, reflecting evolving consumer behaviors. This underscores the importance of adapting to changing market dynamics and investing in modernization to meet future poultry industry demands.
Poultry Creations: What suggestions do you have for Poultry Creations Magazine to improve its content and better serve its readers and the poultry industry?
Harsh Gupta: Feature in-depth articles on emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and industry trends. Incorporate case studies, expert interviews, and practical tips for farmers to provide valuable insights and inspiration.
