Pioneering Women in the Poultry Industry

In this issue of Poultry Creations magazine, we extend a warm welcome to Ms. Ruby Sharma, CEO of Vesper Group, Bangalore, under the compelling theme of “Pioneering Women in the Poultry Industry.” We explore Ms. Ruby Sharma’s accomplishments, perspectives, and her groundbreaking role in influencing the development of the poultry sector.

 

Ms. Ruby Sharma is a pioneering figure in the poultry industry, leading Vesper Group as CEO and proprietor. Originating from Amritsar, Punjab, she has brought innovation and determination to her role, overcoming obstacles in the male-dominated sector. Her visionary leadership has propelled Vesper to new heights of success, inspiring others with her commitment to excellence and animal welfare.

“To young women venturing into leadership and entrepreneurship in the livestock industry, I advise recognizing strengths and expressing thoughts to supportive individuals. Strengthen mental resilience and seek guidance from experienced professionals for successful navigation in this dynamic field. Keep yourself well-informed about current events. Plan your future and dedicate time to realizing your plans.”
                                                                                                                                                         … Ruby Sharma

 

Poultry Creations: Can you briefly discuss your educational background and how it influenced your entry into the poultry industry? Furthermore, what prompted your involvement with Vesper Group and your progression to the role of CEO and proprietor?

Ruby Sharma: Growing up in Amritsar, Punjab, I completed my schooling and graduation before moving to Bangalore in 2003. It was here that I began my journey in the poultry industry, initially working with breeder birds in Vesper’s vaccine division. Over time, my dedication and passion for animals caught the attention of my father Dr. Suresh Sharma, the founder of Vesper Group, who mentored me and eventually appointed me as CEO. In 2017, I became the proprietor of Vesper Labs, marking a significant milestone in my career journey.

Poultry Creations: Being a pioneering woman in the poultry industry and a second-generation poultry entrepreneur, what obstacles have you faced in leadership positions and how have you effectively navigated and overcome these challenges?”

Ruby Sharma: Navigating the male-dominated poultry industry presented its challenges. With Dr. Suresh Sharma’s support and our innovative products, I confronted these hurdles head-on. Managing a team of about 20 staff and over 200 production team members, all male was a difficult job. It required confidence-building, empathy, and a resilient attitude. Emphasizing my leadership role and ownership of the company helped foster mutual cooperation and growth among team members.

Poultry Creations: How do you address the challenge of enhancing profitability in your family business, especially within the poultry industry?

Ruby Sharma: Every business encounter financial fluctuation. We have focused on optimizing our workforce, reducing overtime, fostering transparent working conditions, meticulous budget planning, and reducing unnecessary expenses. Efficient management of purchase costs has been paramount, alongside initiatives to boost sales and access new markets, all contributing to bolstering our profits.

Our partnerships with senior product distributors, leveraging their market influence, combined with our established and effective product range, distinguish us from competitors. Additionally, maintaining a strict bad debt policy has been instrumental in sustaining profits. Moreover, making tough decisions and fostering mutual trust with farmers have been key factors in ensuring our business’s sustainability.

Poultry Creations: Could you highlight some of the innovative products or initiatives you’ve spearheaded at Vesper Labs, particularly those aimed at improving poultry health and productivity?

Ruby Sharma: In Vesper Labs, we’ve developed a suite of innovative products. These include RC-Ves, which effectively revitalizes chicks during transportation and in their early life stages. Our Spazyme is a powerful multienzyme formulation, while Cmi Plus stands out as a uniquely potent immunostimulant. Additionally, Altox serves as a reliable toxin binder, targeting chemical and organophosphorus toxicity, while Enerkal provides exceptional support as a liver tonic. We also offer Lumpy-Care for lumpy disease and Swine Fever-Care to combat mortality rates in pig farms. Ves Grow Boost, a water-soluble nutritional feed supplement, promotes sustainable production peaks. Moreover, Respiron is our flagship solution for controlling respiratory diseases, and Heat Relief is our latest product designed to manage summer stress effectively. These offerings have been widely embraced in the market, demonstrating strong sales performance.

These products have low profit margins but offer significant benefits to farmers, enhancing bird health and productivity. This mutually beneficial approach has been instrumental in our success with clients.

We’ve recently launched Vesper Overseas, focussing on marketing Vesper products and expanding the company’s growth into neighbouring countries for export.
Additionally, we have plans to soon launch “Vesper Feed” in select parts of the country.

Poultry Creations: How do you see your role in advancing the poultry industry, especially concerning issues like disease management and product development?

Ruby Sharma: The poultry industry is continuously expanding and stands as a premier sector within agriculture. Eggs are often referred to as “white gold,” representing highly digestible and nutritionally dense health capsules.

Improving marketing strategies and securing better farm gate prices are areas that require attention. Organizations within the poultry sector, acting as stakeholders, should adopt a more assertive approach. They should consider hiring professional spokespersons and becoming more proactive in their initiatives.

Diseases can be effectively controlled with the use of proper health-building products, maintaining optimal body weight, administering vaccines at the correct times, and utilizing superior immune enhancers.
Greater honesty is essential in business dealings and farmers should adopt a more professional approach and seek guidance from industry experts. They should prioritize logical decision-making, investing money wisely to generate greater returns and employing a more calculated approach.

The Vesper team aids farmers in managing issues more effectively, focussing on providing solutions rather than simply mitigating damages.

Poultry Creations: What are some of your upcoming plans or projects for Vesper Group, particularly regarding expanding into new markets or product lines?

Ruby Sharma: Vesper Group has been a pioneer in developing numerous poultry products such as Toxol, Respiron, Cmi Plus, and Notox, as well as livestock products like Masticare, Apthocare, Mastizyme, and Gynaecare. Recently, Vesper has expanded its reach into the aquaculture sector with products like Oxylife, Soil Boost, Pond Boost, and Aqua Kleen. Additionally, we’ve ventured into the pet care market with offerings such as Grow n Glow, Scabisol injection, Dematone lotion, Toxol-C, and dog snacks.

Furthermore, Vesper manufactures ND killed poultry vaccine to combat diseases such as Raniket and its variants. In addition to our animal health portfolio, Vesper has obtained licenses to produce herbal products for human use, including liver tonics and remedies for diarrhea. Beyond healthcare, Vesper’s entertainment division is actively involved in film and TV serial production, along with participation in motorsports.

Poultry Creations: How does being awarded the Young Entrepreneur Award 2023 impact your perception of your contributions to the industry, and how do you believe this recognition reflects the value you’ve brought to the poultry sector?

Ruby Sharma: Receiving the Young Entrepreneur Award at the same event where Dr. Suresh Sharma received the Lifetime Achievement Award was truly a proud moment for me. Having my husband, Dr. Dhirendra Kumar and my children Rashi and Chirag, present to witness and celebrate this achievement made the experience even more special. This recognition serves as both a morale boost and a reminder to continually strive for excellence and push boundaries. It underscores the importance of remaining focussed and committed to achieving higher goals. Additionally, it cultivates a sense of responsibility to contribute further to the industry and society.

This award not only brings joy but also fosters accountability and determination. I’m thankful for the recognition and motivated to keep making meaningful contributions to the industry.

Poultry Creations: What objectives do you aim to achieve through the implementation of a training program for supervisors and managers in the poultry sector, and how do you anticipate this initiative will positively impact the industry?

Ruby Sharma: Through our training program for supervisors and managers in the poultry sector, our objective is to improve industry standards by enhancing knowledge sharing and fostering a sense of pride among stakeholders. This initiative aims to build a more skilled and cohesive workforce, ultimately leading to greater efficiency and professionalism within the poultry industry.

Poultry Creations: What recommendations do you propose for tackling the issue of escalating feed raw material costs and the prevailing lower selling prices within the poultry sector?

Ruby Sharma: The availability of feed ingredients suitable for commercial use is limited and the genetic material of poultry birds is optimized for performance.

Therefore, ensuring their well-being requires the provision of quality feed. Opting for cheap and low-cost alternatives can have detrimental effects on bird health. Birds, even those with a modest body weight of 1.5 kg, are expected to perform consistently, akin to machines. Hence, a highly scientific approach is necessary.
It’s essential to recognize that dead birds result in losses rather than profits. Therefore, modern farming practices must evolve to adapt to this reality. The farming methods of the past three decades are no longer sufficient for future success.

Poultry Creations: Your father, Dr. Suresh Sharma, MD and Founder of Vesper Group, has been cited as a significant influence. Could you elaborate on the role he played in your career development?

Ruby Sharma: Dr. Suresh Sharma is a highly respected figure in the poultry industry, renowned for his pioneering contributions and innovative solutions. As the founder and Managing Director of Vesper Group, Dr. Sharma has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s growth and success. With his profound expertise and visionary leadership, he has propelled Vesper Group to the forefront of the industry, earning widespread recognition for its quality products and services. Dr. Sharma’s dedication, commitment, and strategic vision continue to inspire and guide the team, driving the company towards new heights of excellence and innovation in the poultry sector.

Poultry Creations: How has your husband Dr. Dhirendra Kumar, a renowned poultry consultant, supported you in your professional endeavors?

Ruby Sharma: Dr. Dhirendra Kumar, a renowned poultry consultant, has been an invaluable source of support in my professional endeavours. His exceptional qualities include being hardworking, dedicated, honest, and punctual. He is known for his straightforward nature, where his “yes” means yes and his “no” means no. With extensive experience in the poultry industry since 1992 and having travelled across the country, he possesses profound knowledge of the field.

Dr. Dhirendra motivational attitude, such as “I am here, just do it,” “When was the last time you did something for the first time,” and “If someone else can, so can you; if no one else has yet, you can be the first,” has inspired me to perform to the best of my abilities. He has always been available to offer technical, professional, marketing and moral support whenever needed. With him around, you can delete the word “fear.”

Poultry Creations: How do you effectively balance family responsibilities while running a business, ensuring success in both areas? What suggestions do you want to give to young women entrepreneurs in this sector?

Ruby Sharma: It’s all about time management. Being present in one place at a time is key. As a businesswoman, many routine activities are sacrificed, but seeing the smiles of both employees and kids alleviates stress. I don’t mix home and office timings and plan things well in advance.
To young women venturing into leadership and entrepreneurship in the poultry industry, I advise recognizing strengths and expressing thoughts to supportive individuals. Strengthen mental resilience and seek guidance from experienced professionals for successful navigation in this dynamic field. Keep yourself well-informed about current events. Plan your future and dedicate time to realizing your plans.

 

Poultry Creations: What key areas of improvement do you envision for Poultry Creations Magazine to better serve its readers and contribute more effectively to the poultry industry?

Ruby Sharma: Poultry Creations magazine is doing a good job in creating awareness. The articles on pioneering women and second-generation poultry entrepreneurs are particularly helpful for both those already in the industry and those seeking to enter it. Including practical articles that are selected seasonally would be beneficial. It’s also advisable to keep the number of pages limited to maintain reader engagement.
Introducing a monthly page dedicated to breaking news in the poultry industry would keep readers informed about the latest developments. Additionally, having a page dedicated to the common person in the industry would be valuable, as they are important stakeholders as well. Magazine print and color quality are good; please keep up the good work.
Vesper Group – Bangalore wishes you good luck.