Launch of India's Initial Shared Cage-Free Exercise Center Located in Trichy, Tamil Nadu
India has taken a significant step forward in advancing animal welfare and sustainable farming with the opening of its first collaborative Cage-Free Poultry Training Facility in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. This state-of-the-art facility, a result of a joint effort between PFAPPF, Global Food Partners, Happy Hens Farms, the Cage-Free Free-Range Poultry Producers Association, and TANSIM, aims to serve as a central hub for research, innovation, and training in cage-free and free-range poultry production practices across India.
The facility's mission is to promote best practices in cage-free housing, bird welfare, market integration, farm management, and creating rural livelihood opportunities through cage-free poultry farming. The training facility is designed to cater to the growing demand for cage-free and free-range eggs in India, aligning with evolving national and global welfare standards.
Key partners involved in developing this facility include the People for Animals Public Policy Foundation (PFAPPF), Global Food Partners, Happy Hens Farms, and the Cage-Free Free-Range Poultry Producers Association, with vital support from Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (TANSIM). Additional expert collaborators for training programs include specialists from the Global Food Partners, Dutch Poultry Institute, Certified Humane®, and Big Dutchman.
The inauguration of the facility was followed by a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program, which included sessions on cage-free housing systems, bird welfare, market integration, and farm management best practices. The program attracted a diverse group of participants, including government officials, representatives from the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO), veterinarians from the Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), and independent entrepreneurs.
Manjunath Marappan, CEO of Happy Hens Farms, expressed his satisfaction with the successful construction of India's first modern cage-free commercial layer house. Mr. Ashok Kannan, President of CFFRPPA, spoke about the facility marking a significant step towards scaling humane, cage-free poultry farming in India.
Parizad Baria, Producer Engagement Lead at Global Food Partners, expressed their mission to create a sustainable, high-welfare cage-free ecosystem in India and Asia. Priyanka Bangari from People for Animals Public Policy Foundation stated that the facility marks a significant milestone in the journey to mainstream humane and sustainable poultry farming practices in India.
For more information about the People for Animals Public Policy Foundation, visit www.pfappf.com. The facility will continue to host regular workshops, incubation programs for start-ups, and farmer training sessions, fostering a community dedicated to sustainable and humane poultry farming in India. The goal of Happy Hens Farms is to grow the sustainable and humane poultry sector in India to meet global standards.
