IT engineer quits job to take up poultry farming; clocks Rs 25 lakh turnover

In the heart of Solapur, Maharashtra, Arun Shinde is transforming rural poultry farming through a model rooted in innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. He runs Agro ProShakthi, a thriving mixed poultry farm that integrates Australorp hens, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowl, goats, cows, and free-range practices. 

What began as a modest setup with 200 birds in 2018 has grown into a venture with Rs25 lakh annual revenue while reviving inactive poultry sheds and supporting dozens of struggling farmers in the region.

A life-changing weekend visit 

Arun worked for an IT company in Hyderabad when a global poultry expo was held on the IT park campus in 2018. It was the weekend, and he thought he’d check it out. 

"That’s when I discovered the Australorp, a large, glossy black chicken breed from Australia that can lay up to 280 eggs in a year. Desi chickens lay barely 70 eggs annually, so when I saw this breed’s potential, I knew I had to take the idea back home," Arun tells 30Stades. 

He then returned to Solapur, pitched the plan to his farming family, and launched Agro ProShakthi the same year with 200 Australorp chickens sourced from Punjab. The Australorp breed is often confused with the indigenous Kadaknath hens because both are black.

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Building an ecosystem with local farmers

While many small-scale poultry businesses stop at breeding and egg sales, Arun had bigger plans. He soon expanded into a full-fledged mixed poultry ecosystem, adding turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl, and livestock. But as demand for Australorp eggs grew, supply became a challenge.

“I realised I couldn’t meet the demand alone. That’s when I decided to collaborate with other poultry farmers whose sheds were shut or whose business had slowed down. I identified 15 such farmers and offered them 200 birds each along with feed, medicine, and guidance," Arun says. 

"All they had to do was raise the chickens properly. In return, I would buy back fertile eggs from them for a good profit," he adds.

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This model turned out to be a win-win. While the regular market price for eggs ranges between Rs 8 and Rs 10, a fertile egg from the Australorp breed sells at Rs 16 to Rs 17. Arun then supplies these to hatcheries across Telangana, Tamil Nadu (especially Salem), Maharashtra, and Hyderabad. He also sells chicks to layer farms at Rs 40 each.

“We don’t sell edible eggs. What we offer are fertile eggs and chicks for breeding. The farms we supply to raise the chicks and then sell the eggs for consumption," Arun clarifies.

Clearing misconceptions and building trust

Arun’s early days were not without hurdles. Around the same time he introduced Australorp to the region, a major scam involving Kadaknath chickens—a similarly black-coloured breed—was doing the rounds in Maharashtra.

“Many confused the Australorp with Kadaknath. The scam had shaken farmers’ trust due to false buy-back schemes and exaggerated returns," he says.

"It took time to educate farmers that mine was a different breed with reliable returns. I focused on awareness and ensured transparency," he notes. 

Over time, this credibility helped Agro ProShakthi gain steady ground. Arun also began offering monthly free classes to local farmers to demystify all kinds of poultry businesses and encouraged them to start small.

Farm function and growth

On his 2.5-acre farm, the operations are run with clockwork precision. There are six trained staff members, and Arun’s family members are closely involved. While chick feed is sourced from a reputed company, the feed for adult birds is made on-site to ensure quality control. The same supplier provides the vaccines.

Also Read: How Assam’s techie entrepreneur built Rs 22 crore egg business

“After 15 days, we start feeding them our mix. It’s more cost-effective and healthier. We’re also in regular touch with government veterinary officers to keep diseases at bay. Timely vaccinations and daily care prevent major losses," the agripreneur says.

There’s a half-acre free-range zone where the birds roam during the day. Cows, goats, and farm cultivation complete the integrated model.

From an initial investment of just Rs 50,000, Arun has invested over Rs 20 lakh into the business in the last seven years. 

The annual revenue now stands at Rs 25 lakh, with Rs 12 to Rs 14 lakh coming from Australorp. The rest is generated through mixed poultry and livestock.

“I’ve travelled extensively across South India, Salem, Namakkal, and Hyderabad to learn from different poultry practices. That exposure convinced me to go the mixed route. In mixed poultry, even if one segment dips, others can compensate. It’s a smart safety net," says the poultry farmer.

A model for sustainable rural entrepreneurship

Arun strongly advocates mixed farming and a slow, steady approach for new entrants. “Start small. Don't try to make crores from day one. Focus on learning, innovating, and most importantly, staying updated with market trends. Innovation is not just about tech; it’s about adapting to your local needs and scaling smartly," the rural entrepreneur says.

He emphasises bypassing middlemen by being aware of market prices and building direct farm-to-farm or farm-to-hatchery links. 

Arun’s next goal is to build a new shed that can accommodate 10,000 birds and involve more local farmers in his collective model. “As I expand, I want others to grow with me,” he says optimistically. 

He continues to conduct monthly awareness classes in his village and nearby areas to encourage farmers to explore mixed poultry as a viable business. “There’s a lot of untapped potential in rural areas. All it takes is one right idea and consistent effort. From a software professional to a poultry farmer, my journey is a reminder that meaningful change often begins with simple curiosity, and sometimes, a random weekend visit can change everything," he signs off. 

(Chandhini R is a Kerala-based journalist specialising in human interest, entertainment, and art and culture stories).

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