The Architect Of Tomorrow'S Poultry Industry

Four decades of science, entrepreneurship, and innovation

The man quietly reshaping how India and the world feed its birds.

In a sprawling industry defined by integrators, integrations, and incessant pressures of cost and disease, O.P. Singh stands apart—not merely as a businessman, but as a scientist turned visionary whose four-decade journey has taken him from the biochemistry labs to the boardrooms of global pharma giants and back to the soil of India's poultry heartland.

He is, by every measure, the rare entrepreneur who built not just companies, but an entirely new intellectual framework for how animal nutrition is practiced on the subcontinent.

Q. Mr. Singh, you have spent over four decades in the animal health and poultry industry. Take us back to the very beginning—what first drew you into this field, and how has the journey unfolded?

The journey, honestly, began with a deep love for science.

I completed my Master's in Biochemistry from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of India's finest academic institutions. Enzymology fascinated me. The idea that a tiny biological molecule could catalyze extraordinary reactions, that it could unlock nutrition locked inside a grain of corn or soybean meal—that was profound to me.

But science in isolation cannot create impact.

I pursued an MBA from Kellogg School of Management in the United States, and that changed everything.

MSc. Biochemistry – Banaras Hindu University
Deep grounding in enzymology and molecular processes—the scientific bedrock of everything that followed.

MBA – Kellogg School of Management, USA
Acquired the strategic lens to translate science into scalable, profitable industry solutions.

My earliest professional years were spent building some of India's foundational poultry enterprises. I played a pivotal role in establishing major brands including the VH Group, Tyson Group, and the Cargill Group's Indian operations.

Each of those experiences taught me something irreplaceable—about supply chains, farmer psychology, and the delicate economics of a business that wakes up every morning worrying about feed costs, disease outbreaks, and market prices of chicken.

At that time, the Indian poultry industry was heavily dependent on conventional feed formulations. The scientific application of enzymology and fermentation technology in animal nutrition was barely understood, let alone adopted. We were, in many ways, building a market from scratch. That challenge, that responsibility—it energized me completely.

Q. Tell us about your group of companies and how they coexist under your leadership.

ABTL- Advanced Bio-Agro Tech Ltd was established in 2007 and is headquartered in Pune. It is, at its core, an enzyme and biotechnology company. We develop, manufacture, and market enzyme-based solutions for poultry, dairy, and crop science Industries. We have state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and R&D centers across India. Today, ABTL serves in India, SEA & MEA markets.

HUVEPHARMA SEA (Pune) Pvt. Ltd. is a Bulgarian-origin global pharmaceutical company among the world's leading manufacturers of animal health and nutrition products. It operates in over 90 countries across 6 continents, with manufacturing in Europe with FDA-approved facilities. Huvepharma portfolio includes coccidiostats, vaccines, Hygiene and microflora management products for poultry, dairy & aqua. We also offer the Aviapp® a free digital application for poultry producers to record, store, and analyze performance data from their flocks in real time.

In 2010, NBPL Nutrient Bio-Agro Tech Ltd. was formed to formulate specialized combinations of ingredients resulting in high-quality, cost-effective, innovative products like anti-oxidants, egg quality improvers, mycotoxin binders etc.

In 2019, NOREL NBPL Norel NBPL India Pvt. Ltd. a strategic joint venture was formed between Pune-based Nutrient Bio-Agro Tech Pvt. Ltd. (NBPL) and Spain-based animal nutrition leader Norel S.A. The JV manufactures and markets advanced animal nutrition feed ingredients, specializing in emulsifiers, organic trace minerals, flavors etc.

At OPUSPET our guiding principle is the health & happiness of our furry friends. It's at the heart of everything we do. OPUSPET is a confluence, a passion for pet care - meets technology. We believe that there is no one size fits all, each animal is unique, their needs are unique, and we recognize that. We offer customization at a micro level, and a range of specially formulated products designed to meet the needs of companion animals.

In collaboration with Mervue Laboratories, we bring to you research-based, scientifically formulated products to ensure highest bioavailability to maximise the health, wellbeing and lifecycle of companion animals. Our product range is a response to the concerns of pet parents-lifestyle diseases, health and wellness of their furry friends - dogs as well as cats. Our endeavor is to leverage our knowledge and experience to offer top of the line preventive and treatment options in companion animal care.

To bring this vision alive we are spearheading a countrywide initiative called "Hello Protein". The movement aims to spark conversations, debunk myths, and encourage Indians to consciously incorporate more protein into their daily diets. The initiative is designed to reach diverse segments from urban professionals and students to homemakers and fitness enthusiasts by simplifying scientific information and converting it into practical, culturally relevant advice, supported by expert insights, public-awareness campaigns, and collaborations with nutritionists. Hello Protein strives to make protein education both accessible and engaging.

But more importantly, they represent a coherent philosophy: a sustainable and regenerative ecosystem for animal health.

Every human being in the next generation needs protein security ensuring not only improvement in their health parameters but also efficiency in their lives. Every Indian citizen deserves qualitative protein inputs in their daily diet. Protein deficiency doesn't just harm individuals - it quietly drains corporate India. In a knowledge driven economy where productivity depends on mental agility, nutrition is no trivial issue.

The poultry industry is at a critical juncture where sustainability and efficiency are no longer choices, but business imperatives. As regulations tighten-such as the ban on colistin and other antibiotic growth promoters in India-and global pressure to reduce the environmental footprint of animal protein production intensifies, the demand for affordable, safe protein continues to grow, particularly in Asia and Africa.

Artificial intelligence will transform this industry. We are actively developing AI-driven solutions that integrate data analytics, machine learning, and automation to predict disease outbreaks, optimize feeding programs in real time, and enhance farm productivity while ensuring bird health and welfare.

My vision for the Indian poultry industry is one of global competitiveness. While India is already the world's third-largest egg producer, we must now focus on food safety, reducing antibiotic residues, improving biosecurity standards, and building consumer trust. With the right regulatory support and industry cohesion, we can make India a global quality benchmark, rather than just a volume benchmark.

While awards and recognitions are certainly gratifying, the achievements I treasure most are more foundational. To me, four decades of scientific integrity and intangible trust are the currency that truly compounds over time.

Mr. Singh pauses. Then, with the deliberateness of someone who has thought about this question not for this interview, but for decades:

"The Indian poultry industry is one of the most dynamic, most resilient, and most important food-producing ecosystems in the world. We are the third-largest egg producer globally. We are growing at 8-10% annually. We are feeding a billion people and we are just beginning to feed the world. That is an extraordinary privilege. But privilege demands responsibility."

Treat protein as a daily essential, not occasional supplement. Indians are estimated to consume less protein than recommended. WHO recommends 1 gm of protein per Kg of your body weight should be consumed. Every unit of qualitative protein ensures healthy life, therefore every plate of food on the household deserves either egg or chicken based on its safety norms & nutrient quality. In a fast-paced urban world, protein is strength - and a well-nourished India is a stronger, sharper, and more productive India. Strong families are built at the dining table and a stronger India begins with adequate protein.

Let us work together industry associations, government, farmers, scientists, technology providers etc. as I am absolutely confident that Indian poultry will not merely participate in the global food future but it will define it.