The SPACE Expo in Rennes, France, a leading platform for innovation and excellence in Poultry, Aqua, Dairy & Livestock farming, with more than 1,400 exhibitors from different countries shared their expertise and innovations focusing on energy conservation & production, the poultry, cattle, the pig sectors and animal nutrition. More than 1,15,000 French and International visitors from over 122 countries visited this important poultry and livestock exhibition over the three days. The business visitors were happy and satisfied as they find new partners and discover innovations, with the aim of contributing to food self-sufficiency in their home countries.

Each edition of SPACE Rennes covers the full spectrum of products and services, from veterinary equipment, feeding stuff and animal breeding. Additional value derives from the educational program. SPACE 2024 developed the political dimension of discussions with livestock sector stakeholders. These visits reinforce SPACE as a platform of expression and discussion to advance the major issues regarding the future of the livestock sectors.

Mr. Marcel DENIEUL, President of SPACE said said SPACE is here to give its exhibitors the chance to present their products and solutions to its visitors and visitors will therefore be able to discover new products and existing solutions, compare the various options available, get advice from experts to help them to make the right choices and plan their investments with all the information they need at their fingertips.

Mr. Ricky Thaper with Mr. Marcel DENIEUL, President of SPACE
SPACE served as an observatory for international agricultural policy and provided its participants with solutions and ideas to help them achieve their goals, thanks to its technical expertise, innovations and conferences.

At Biochem booth had good interaction with Dr. Sana Makhlouf. Biochem Company headquarter is located in the northwest German town of Lohne, supplying high quality feed additives for poultry and livestock. As a global company, Biochem feed additives are characterised by efficiency, quality and sustainability. From intestinal health, mycotoxin management, feed safety and nutrient efficiency to immune stimulation Biochem offer solutions to animal nutrition and animal health. Dr. Sana Makhlouf told that more than 200 employees dedicate their knowledge and skills in development, production, registration, marketing, logistics, and sales departments. Biochem operate globally with more than 50 retail partners and 16 subsidiaries on four continents. With more than 360 experienced employees from 30 nations, Biochem team in constant contact with farmers, the feed industry, universities and veterinarians. Dr. Bhaskar Choudhry is heading the Biochem business in India which has good growth in terms of volumes and sales under Dr. Bhaskar leadership.

According to Ms. Ane Marie QUEMENER, General Commissioner of SPACE, in 38 years, SPACE has become an essential event for all. Created by the leaders of the agricultural organizations, it is designed to be a place to meet debate and exchange ideas, for all farming related professionals. Ms. Ane Marie QUEMENER added that the efforts and hard work by SPACE Team has given excellent results.

At SKA Poultry Equipment booth, we had good interaction with Mr. Massimo Ubiali, CEO.
Mr. Ubiali is a dynamic leader with a strong commitment to helping customers adopt sustainable solutions for the industry through high-quality equipment. Mr. Ubiali said he has a clear vision to expand SKA’s business across the region and elevate the company to new heights, all while staying true to its core principles and values. Mr. Ubiali firmly believes in empowering individuals to embrace entrepreneurship within themselves. He updated that India is a very potential market for them and their company look forward to fostering partnerships and continuing the exchange of ideas for the advancement of poultry welfare and Sustainability in the region. Recently Mr. Rajendra Rawat has joined SKA Poultry Equipment, Italy for South Asia Region. Mr. Massimo extended invitation to Indian Delegation to visit their manufacturing facilities in Italy.

At AB Vista booth with Mr. Fernando Garcilopez Perez, Business Manager.
AB Vista is a global animal nutrition technology company offering pioneering products and technical services to the global animal feed industry. Its mission is to advance nutrition through scientific research and ‘feed intelligence’. AB Vista has grown to be a top three player in feed enzymes, specialising in innovative feed additives, solutions, and services for all species. In India, Mr. Atmaram Yadav, General Manager, South Asia is heading AB Vista business very perfectly and efficiently.

Ms. Cecile BERTHIER, International Press and Exhibitors Information, SPACE informed that Poultry, Dairy and Aqua farmers working in all types of animal production were able to enjoy the Expo.

The top buyers program run by the Business France as a part of the “Export Begins in France” project had welcomed major International Delegates from China, Senegal, Togo, Egypt, Iran, India, Kenya, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Mexico, South America besides European Union.

A series of conferences, debates and seminars that took place during the three days gave this year event a new dimension, as poultry and livestock farmers were able to express the needs and expectations, in line with the ambition of the creators of SPACE. Innov’Space label has been a great opportunity to publicise and promote novelties in the sector. This year 48 products, equipment or services earned the esteemed Innov’Space awards.

It was nice to meet and interact with Dr. Nemanja Todorovic, Chief Business officer, nu.ance Biotechnology and Ms. Solene Gillingham, Marketing and Commercial Officer at their booth. nu.ance Biotechnology is a dynamic Swiss-based biotechnology company, founded by the group of entrepreneurs, specialized in development and commercialization of innovative feed additive products, merging expertise in technical and scientific knowledge. At nu.ance Biotechnology we are committed to providing high quality feed additive solutions said Dr. Nemanja Todorovic, Chief Business officer. With the recent acquisition of Global Nutrition International, has added a French manufacturer of technological liquid and solid feed additives to our portfolio. This strategic move significantly contributes to increasing range of additives developed at the highest standards of quality and effectiveness to meet our customer needs. Mr. Joginder Singh Uppal, Business Director based in India, is efficiently leading the nu.ance Biotechnology business in the South Asia region.

During SPACE Expo, it was nice to interact with Mr. Nipun Gupta, CEO, Dr. Paolo Doncecchi, CCo and Mr. Patel Kotula from Innova Biotechnology, Poland, focusing on production and marketing of innovative non-antibiotic products to control bacterial pathogens in environmental, food processing, and medical settings. We shared views on the antimicrobial solutions which are available or being launched based on the phage and anti-microbial peptide technology platforms of Innova Biotechnology and discussed about the future of Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) that work by targeting the cell membranes of pathogens, making it significantly harder for these pathogens to develop resistance.

While interacting with exhibitors, they rated SPACE as very high-quality trade show. According to Amandine LEROUX, International Development, SPACE, Exhibitors and International Visitors had access to International Club which had all facilities of translators, business meetings and refreshments for the international visitors. The SPACE was again a springboard for employment and international trade thanks to the job-dating events organized by APECITA, and more than 800 Business to Business meetings organized by Enterprise Europe Network between exhibitors and international investors said Ms. Chloe LETELLIER, Communication Press, SPACE. For foreign visitors, visits to poultry, dairy & sheep farms and agro industrial facilities were arranged. These tours were supported by ADEPTA and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

An analytical survey so far indicates that 97% of participants think that SPACE Exhibition helps to convey a positive, dynamic image of the animal farming industry. 93% of International Visitors regard SPACE as the standard setting exhibition, offering a comprehensive and unique platform for professionals across all animal production sectors. 91% of poultry, dairy, aqua and livestock farmer’s view SPACE Exhibition as an indispensable decision-making tool, enabling them to compare solutions and make informed choices whereas 88% of Exhibitors express satisfaction with the quality of their business contacts made at SPACE Exhibition.

International delegates visiting SPACE Expo appreciated the arrangements at Expo by the organizers especially at the International Club. The meticulous planning, dedication and tireless efforts of team SPACE Rennes makes SPACE Exhibition one of the biggest Poultry & Livestock Exhibition in this planet.

Meghana Mukherjee Salvi
Director, Glamac International Pvt. Ltd.

Author’s Bio
Meghana Mukherjee Salvi is a poet, writer and blogger. She likes to study the market, analyse the trends and talk about everything related to Economics. Bumping into a good book is her guilty pleasure. She is a bibliophile from Bombay living with her husband and exceptional inlaws.

She followed in her father’s footsteps to set foot in the pharmaceutical industry. Before being in the poultry industry, Meghana completed her graduation in Mathematics, followed by a master’s degree in economics.

Transparency is the buzzword of this decade. Many are interested in knowing their meat and where it comes from today. Consumers are highly aware of what they consume, from checking ingredient labels and analyzing nutritional charts to certifications and acquiring allergen awareness. As per a survey conducted by the National Chicken Council, Washington, nearly 50% of the survey respondents would consume more chicken if they knew the production process was sustainable. And supply chain traceability can ensure farm-to-fork clarity, thus increasing demand or profitability and fostering roust brand trust.

But what is farm-to-fork transparency? It is a concept wherein you can track a food product from where it was produced(farm) to the consumption point(fork). It will include information from production to processing to distribution and retail sale of the product for the poultry sector, its chicken meat and eggs. Accessible and transparent ideas about farming practices, processing methods, or storage and distribution aid in enhanced consumer satisfaction, loyalty, and easy identification of issues arising from a specific supply chain location.

Indian Poultry Sector at a Glance
The Indian poultry sector is growing at a rapid pace. The country is the third-largest broiler chicken producer and the second-largest egg producer globally. By 2050, India’s population is expected to skyrocket to approximately 167 crores. With a growing population, rising disposable incomes, changing food preferences, urbanization, government initiatives, increasing demand for processed meat and food, and advancements in poultry production, the sector is slated to grow at 8.1% CAGR from 2023 to 2028.

However, the game changer for the Indian poultry sector was the Integration Model. The business model includes consolidating multiple stages of poultry production like breeding, hatcheries, producing feed, poultry farming, and processing under one umbrella or entity.

Integration bolsters:

•  Supply chain management – reduced logistical load and improved coordination.
•  Cost reduction – Consolidation leads to bulk purchasing and centralized operations.
•  Enhanced Biosecurity – Constant monitoring and centralized control minimizing disease outbreaks and promoting efficient risk mitigation strategies.
• Premium Quality: A standardized process will lead to effective implementation, ensuring consistent product quality.

Some key players like Godrej Agrovet, Venky’s, CP Foods, and Suguna, amongst multiple others, have built an all-encompassing supply chain practice and an exponential rise in product quality, genuinely transforming the face of the Indian Poultry Industry. These companies are adopting IoT, blockchain, AI, and data analytics to incorporate traceability further in their models.

Why Traceability?
Though you briefly understand why transparency is vital, especially for the poultry sector, peeling the layers and grasping the bigger picture is crucial. Let’s uncover the reasons behind the growing significance of Farm-to-fork transparency.

1. Food Safety and Quality

• Identification of contamination source in the meat’s production life cycle.
• 360-degree monitoring of the production process.
• Ensuring products meet quality and safety standards.
• Enabling swift and targeted recalls in case of challenging conditions.

2. Consumer Confidence and Brand Trust

• Transparency in products for consumer consumption.
•  A positive demand outlook for neatly sourced and safe products.
• Satisfied consumers have higher chances of choosing a brand they trust.

3. Compliance and Regulation

• Traceability is now becoming a legal requirement to ensure compliance.
• Relevant certifications and adherence to compliance help meet international standards.
• An excellent International brand image increases exports.
• Assists in acquiring certifications like Kosher or organic.

Facilitating transparency in the poultry industry through technology
The key to achieving traceability is by traversing the road to technology. Automated systems, precise data, real-time monitoring of the entire poultry supply chain, and efficient record-keeping create a massive difference by enhancing operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and food safety. Let’s look at poultry tech, which can be the language of 2024.

RFID & Barcode: RFID is a medium of identification. The technology uses radio frequencies to identify people/objects/flocks and transfer data. It reads information within a wireless device/tag without requiring any physical contact. Barcode readers use a beam of light to read the black-and-white printed code on the tag. This makes it easy to trace the product throughout its production life cycle.

Blockchain: Blockchain technology is like an Impenetrable and secure digital diary of data points, each point carrying its unique digital ID called a decentralized identifier(DID). Each batch of flock or individual product can have its own DID carrying information about its origin, production methods, etc. Each stage of the poultry supply chain is stored in blockchain and cannot be edited or deleted. Since it is a decentralized computer network, all the parties in the supply chain can access the same information, reducing discrepancies. Also, payments can be automatically processed after the successful delivery of a batch.

Data Analytics: It is also playing a significant role in facilitating traceability. By analyzing data from various sources, it is possible to monitor and verify the production process. This aids in identifying potential issues before they become significant problems and enables producers to take corrective action quickly.

Real-time Tracking with IoT: Integrating the blockchain with Internet of Things (IoT) devices allows real-time tracking of poultry products. Sensors can monitor temperature, humidity, and other conditions, and this data is recorded on the blockchain, ensuring transparency and compliance with quality standards.

Feathered Success Story: Suguna’s Journey to Traceability
In India, there needs to be more transparency in the supply chain. Yet many key players have identified the scope of growth and efficiency by relying on technology. One such pioneer is Suguna Foods, which has adopted RFID technology to trace poultry products from farm to fork.

Suguna Foods has more than 35,000 poultry farmers spread across the country, making it one of the largest poultry companies in India. The company has implemented RFID tags on the birds’ legs, which can be scanned at various stages of the production process, including hatchery, feed mill, farm, processing plant, and cold storage.

The data collected through these tags is then uploaded to a centralized database, which can be accessed by stakeholders such as farmers, veterinarians, and customers. This data includes information about the bird’s age, breed, feed, and medication, making tracing the product’s origin easier and ensuring quality and safety.

By implementing traceability solutions, Suguna Foods has established a strong relationship of trust with its customers. The company has also improved its operational efficiency, reduced waste, and increased profitability.

The Way Forward

The poultry industry has witnessed enormous transformation in the last few decades. Like the industry, technology, too, has been at the forefront of change and upgradation. It has prompted the push for increasing transparency across sectors not just limited to poultry. Blockchain, IoT, AI, and data will be critical in aligning the industry with future needs. It can ensure food safety and quality and increase consumer confidence and brand trust, paving the way for a safer and more sustainable future.

Hence, it is imperative that feed millers, farmers, integrators, animal nutrition companies, veterinarians, and consumers, who form the pillars of the industry, should embrace technology that promotes sustainability and transparency for a bigger, better, and healthier tomorrow.