Archive · 1 Feb 2026
Poultry Reshaping India's Nutrition Policy
India is eating more chicken and eggs than ever before.
This is because they are a good source of protein and are not too expensive.
The government has started including eggs in school meals to help children get the nutrients they need.
The chicken industry is growing fast and is now worth a lot of money.
However, there are some challenges, like keeping the chickens healthy and making sure they have enough food.
The government is working on these problems to make sure everyone in India can have enough protein in their diet.
India accounts for 18% of the global poultry population, with annual egg production exceeding 149 billion and poultry meat production crossing 5 million tonnes.
Poultry is becoming a primary protein source due to its affordability, nutritional density, and wide acceptability.
Public policy has recognized poultry's role in nutrition, with eggs being included in school meals and child nutrition programs in several states.
The poultry industry is valued at over USD 30 billion, with a projected annual growth of 10-12%, reflecting its embedding into everyday consumption and public provisioning.
Challenges include feed security, disease risk, and waste management, with the government implementing measures to address these issues.
- Who
- India's government and poultry industry
- What
- Poultry becoming a primary protein source and policy instrument
- When
- Recent years, with steady growth over the past decade
- Where
- India, with significant impact on rural and tribal areas
- Why
- To deliver reliable, affordable protein at scale and address nutrition gaps
- Global Poultry Population Share
- 18%
- Annual Egg Production
- 149 billion
- Poultry Meat Production
- 5 million tonnes
- Poultry Industry Value
- USD 30 billion
- Annual Growth Projection
- 10-12%
- Small-Scale Production Contribution
- 12-14% of total egg production