VIP (VETS IN POULTRY) Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to Dr. Girish Kolwankar     

VIP’s (Vets in Poultry) 6th AGM was organized on September 25th, 2024, at Hotel “U” Rivergate, Karjat. During the event, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Girish Kolwankar, a visionary leader and stalwart veterinarian in the poultry industry, in recognition of his relentless dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence.

After graduating from Mumbai Veterinary College in 1988, Dr. Girish returned to his native village of Alibaug, Maharashtra, where he began his career as a Livestock Development Officer under the state government. This role allowed him to immerse himself in the agricultural community, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey. Driven by his passion and expertise, he soon ventured into poultry consultancy, gaining an unparalleled firsthand understanding of the livestock feed industry. Observing the unregulated nature of the market and the immense challenges faced by farmers striving for profitability, Dr. Girish recognized a significant opportunity to make a difference.
From these humble beginnings as a Livestock Development Officer to co-founding Premium Chick Feeds in 1991, Dr. Girish has been an unwavering advocate for quality and innovation. Entering this business with a profound attachment to animals as a veterinarian, he was guided by his steadfast belief that with passion, dedication, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence, success was not just a possibility but an inevitability. His visionary leadership has not only built a thriving enterprise but also created numerous job opportunities across India, empowering rural communities and driving transformative growth in the poultry sector.

His foresight in forward integration, focus on superior nutrition, and unshakable conviction that veterinarians must lead the industry have set new standards of excellence. In the face of daunting challenges, including the devastating bird flu outbreak and periods of economic turbulence, Dr. Girish’s resilience has been nothing short of remarkable. Under his guidance, Premium Chick Feeds has flourished, evolving into a national powerhouse with a turnover of $650 million and operations spanning nine states. His exceptional ability to navigate adversity and seize opportunities has propelled his company to the forefront of the industry.

Dr. Girish’s unwavering dedication to enhancing feed quality, uplifting the rural economy, and investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure has left an indelible mark on the poultry industry. His work has elevated not only the industry’s standards but also the lives of countless individuals in rural areas, affirming his role as a true pioneer in the sector.

Vets In Poultry is honored to bestow the Lifetime Achievement Award upon Dr. Girish Kolwankar in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to the poultry industry. This award is a testament to his visionary leadership, relentless perseverance, and profound impact on the betterment of society.

Vets in Poultry Writes Letter to Govt to Slash Maize Import Duty

Maize is grappling with soaring local prices which is a critical component in poultry feed constituting 60% of the total feed

Poultry sector urges the Indian government to cut import duty on maize as soaring local prices threaten financial stability and consumer affordability.

In an important appeal addressed to Hon’ble Union Minister Sh. Parshottam Rupala, who oversees the Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying departments, Dr. Ajay Deshpande, President of the Association of Vets in Poultry (VIP), representing over 1200 veterinary professionals in India, highlighted the urgent challenges being faced by the poultry sector.

The Poultry sector, a key player in the Indian economy, is grappling with soaring local maize prices, a critical component in poultry feed constituting 60% of the total feed.

Dr. Deshpande underscores the immediate threat to the poultry industry’s financial health, with poultry feed accounting for 80% of production costs.

The surge in local maize prices, exacerbated by inconsistent rainfall in major maize-producing states, is driving up the cost of chicken production. Poultry farmers are selling chicken at an average of Rs 65/kg, incurring substantial losses against the production cost of Rs 85/kg.

The letter reveals that the maize production estimate for 2022-2023 is 35.91 million tonnes, with the poultry sector alone consuming around 18 million tonnes.

Moreover, India’s export of approximately 3,453,680.58 MT further strains domestic maize availability. Deshpande emphasizes that the current maize prices of Rs 25/kg throughout India, up from last year’s average of Rs 23/kg, are unsustainable for the poultry farming community.

Anticipating maize prices to reach Rs 28-30/kg by February 2024, the association foresees a worsening situation post that date due to uncertainties in Rabi maize production. To bridge the demand-supply gap, the industry is compelled to rely on imports, but the existing 60% import duty on non-GMO maize is discouraging.

In light of this crisis, the Vets in Poultry Association urgently requests the Government of India to consider reducing the import duty on non-GMO maize from 60% to either NIL or a maximum of 15%.

Deshpande argues that previous instances of maize imports have not adversely affected local farmers; instead, they played a crucial role in stabilizing demand and supply, benefiting both farmers and the poultry industry.

The association supports this request with a detailed calculation, demonstrating that by reducing the import duty, the price of non-GMO maize can be significantly lowered, contributing to a stabilized market. The adjustment aims to support the financial sustainability of poultry farmers and ensure affordable access to nutritious protein for the people of India.

Deshpande highlights the substantial contribution of the poultry sector to the Indian national GDP at 1.5 Lakh crores, generating direct employment for 25,000 layers and over 5 lakh broiler farmers, with an additional indirect impact on over 2 million individuals, primarily in villages.