Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India | 30th July 2025: In a landmark move towards sustainable agriculture and animal welfare, India has inaugurated its first state-of-the-art cage-free poultry training facility in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. This cutting-edge centre is designed to promote ethical poultry farming, rural entrepreneurship, and climate-resilient food systems.
The facility was established through a unique collaboration between People for Animals Public Policy Foundation (PFAPPF), Global Food Partners, Happy Hens Farms, and the Cage-Free Free-Range Poultry Producers Association (CFFRPPA). Critical support also came from the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (TANSIM).
A National Hub for Cage-Free Poultry Training and Innovation
Positioned as a central hub, the facility will offer extensive training, research, and capacity-building for cage-free and free-range egg production in India. It seeks to empower farmers, entrepreneurs, and veterinary professionals with practical knowledge and global best practices in humane poultry farming.
Launch of Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme
Following the inauguration, the centre hosted an intensive Training of Trainers (ToT) programme, featuring renowned experts from Global Food Partners, Dutch Poultry Institute, Certified Humane, and Big Dutchman. Key topics included:
- Cage-free housing system design
- Poultry welfare standards
- Farm management strategies
- Supply chain and market integration
Diverse Participation from Across India
The three-day programme brought together a wide range of participants, including:
- Government officials from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat
- Representatives from Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO)
- Veterinarians from Central Avian Research Institute (CARI)
- Independent egg producers and entrepreneurs
This diverse group discussed the growing consumer demand for cage-free and free-range eggs, along with evolving national and international welfare certifications.
Voices Behind the Vision
Priyanka Bangari, PFAPPF, emphasized the initiative’s long-term impact:
“This centre marks a significant milestone in our journey to mainstream humane and sustainable poultry farming practices in India.”
Parizad Baria, Global Food Partners, stated:
“Our mission is to build a high-welfare, cage-free ecosystem across Asia. This facility will be a critical part of delivering training and support to egg farmers in India.”
Manjunath Marappan, CEO of Happy Hens Farms, added:
“We’re proud to have built India’s first commercial cage-free layer house. This is the beginning of a sustainable and globally aligned poultry sector.”
Ashok Kannan, President of CFFRPPA, highlighted the broader goals:
“This facility supports not only humane farming but also rural livelihoods and innovation. Our next milestone is securing financial support for wider adoption.”
Building the Future of Poultry Farming in India
The facility will continue to offer:
- Farmer workshops
- Start-up incubation programmes
- Cage-free poultry training sessions
These initiatives aim to scale humane farming models while improving incomes and livelihoods for rural communities.
Learn more and get involved:
🔗 www.pfappf.com
