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The All-Kerala Poultry Federation’s recent constructive engagement with Chief Minister Shri V.D. Satheesan and Labour & Animal Husbandry Minister Smt. Bindu Krishna has yielded encouraging outcomes in the UDF government’s first Budget for 2026-27. Several long-standing concerns of the poultry sector were addressed through targeted allocations and initiatives aimed at strengthening the livestock ecosystem, enhancing processing capabilities, and promoting industry sustainability.
Key Allocations for Animal Husbandry and Livestock Development
The Kerala Budget 2026-27 has earmarked ₹102.88 crore for the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development sector. This substantial investment signals the government’s commitment to holistic growth of the livestock sector, including poultry, which plays a vital role in Kerala’s protein security, rural livelihoods, and employment generation.
While the dairy segment receives focused attention with an ambitious target to scale daily milk production to one crore litres within three years, the poultry sector has secured specific forward-looking interventions that address processing bottlenecks and market linkages.
Spotlight on Poultry: Kerala Chicken Project
In a major development for the poultry value chain, the government has sanctioned the establishment of a state-of-the-art modern poultry processing plant under the Kerala Chicken Project. Located at Kottukkal in Kollam district, the facility will have a processing capacity of 1,000 chickens per hour. This infrastructure is expected to significantly improve hygiene standards, reduce post-harvest losses, enable value-added product development, and provide better price realization for poultry farmers.
Complementing the processing unit, a dedicated pet food factory is also being set up at the same location. This move opens new avenues for utilizing poultry by-products, promoting circular economy practices, and creating additional revenue streams for the sector.
Educational and Awareness Initiatives
To nurture the next generation of poultry entrepreneurs and create widespread awareness, the Budget has announced the introduction of poultry clubs in schools. This initiative is poised to build long-term interest in scientific poultry farming among students, addressing skill gaps and encouraging youth participation in the sector.
Broader Context and Industry Outlook
These measures come as a direct and positive response to the issues highlighted by the All-Kerala Poultry Federation during its high-level discussions with the state leadership. The focus on modern processing infrastructure, allied manufacturing (pet food), and human resource development aligns well with the federation’s advocacy for solutions to challenges such as market volatility, processing limitations, and sustainable growth.
IPEMA-Poultry India welcomes these progressive steps in the Kerala Budget. We believe they will strengthen the poultry ecosystem, enhance competitiveness, and contribute meaningfully to the state’s animal husbandry goals. The association remains committed to working closely with the government and all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of these initiatives for the benefit of poultry farmers, processors, and allied industries across Kerala.
Compiled by Poultry India media