The Hindu Business Line : It's now organic eggs!

Organic fruits, veggies, cereals and grains and now, Indian consumers can soon expect to eat organically grown eggs loaded with the goodness of nature with a tripartite research project well underway, conducted by the Department of Biotechnology, poultry major Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group and the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center (PDRC).

Under evaluation

The tripartite research project to develop organically grown eggs and its advantages over eggs and poultry developed the traditional way, has completed three phases and is currently under discussion and evaluation with the Department of Biotechnology, the PDRC Chief, Mr O.P. Singh, told Business Line.

When complete, the organic egg project might just prove to be proverbial golden egg for the domestic poultry industry which recently went through a severe crisis after the outbreak of the dreaded bird flu.

With consumers across the world now looking for healthier, safer options to artificially grown perfect looking fruits and veggies and even poultry pumped up with growth hormones, the organic egg project can prove to be the right solution at the right time.

The Biological Farmers of Australia, the country's largest representative organic body have defined certified organic products as those are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, or GMOs and notes that this innovative method of farming and production is increasingly being recognised as being on the leading edge of food and fibre technology into the future.

Organics stuff

Organics is not just chemical free by testing. It is about the way your food is grown and handled. The whole system is linked — Soil, plants, animals, food, people and environment. Standards to achieve this are internationally recognised, and are assured through annual audits of all certified operators by an independent third-party auditor, the BFA adds.

"The project is designed to develop the right technology for producing organically grown eggs and pass it on to farmers so that they can then take it to grab a huge potential for the product, largely in the export markets", Mr Singh said. The project was kicked off more than two years ago and industry sources insist that it is now close to completion.

"In addition to the fact that it will get Indian farmers an entry into the overseas market where there is a large demand for organic produce, the eggs will also go into nutritional supplements for women and children. There will be significant difference in the fatty acid profile, the quality of protein and the iron content, among other things, in the organic egg", Mr Singh said . "We are perfecting the technology right now", he said.

More Stories on : Poultry | Research & Development | Bio-tech & Genetics

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
`West European outsourcing market grows fastest'

The price of rural living

SSP units may get higher concession

Active or passive schemes? Blending both may be the answer

Maharashtra Govt puts oil exploration plans on hold

Corus countdown for Tata Steel offer period begins

Cisco bullish on pharma sector

Gold under pressure; Time to buy?

It's now organic eggs!

Banks grapple with home loan frauds

SEBI plans separate entity for surveillance and investigation

Benchmarks need extra strength despite bullish undertone