From the MD’s Desk

West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Limited (WBLDCL)

Overview: West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Limited (WBLDCL) was established in 1974 and is registered under the Companies Act, 1956 (Registration Number: CIN U01211WB1974SGC029356). In 2018, the Corporation merged with the erstwhile Dairpoul (W.B. Dairy & Poultry Development Corporation Ltd.), effective from April 1st. WBLDCL operates under the administrative control of the Animal Resources Development Department, Government of West Bengal. Its management is vested in its Board of Directors in accordance with its Articles of Association. With an annual turnover nearing INR 305 crores, WBLDCL plays a crucial role in the state’s livestock sector.

Products and Brand: The Corporation is engaged in the production, processing, and marketing of meat from various species, available in both fresh-chilled and frozen forms. All products are sold under the well-known brand ‘Haringhata’, which enjoys wide popularity among consumers. The product line includes sausages, nuggets, popcorn, ham, bacon, salami, cutlets, kebabs, and other value-added meat products.

Haringhata Meat is a pioneer in the production and promotion of non-conventional meats in West Bengal, offering:

• Low-calorie quail meat
• Popular turkey meat
• Duck, rabbit, and the renowned Vanaraja chicken meat

Recently, the Corporation has also launched Haringhata Fish, featuring ready-to-cook fish products like fish fry, fish fingers, and fish balls, which have quickly gained market popularity.

Processing Infrastructure: WBLDCL operates modern, certified meat processing facilities within the Haringhata Meat Plant premises. These units are certified by:

• FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)

• ISO 22000:2018 (Food Safety Management Systems)

• HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point)

• EIA/EIC (Export Inspection Agency / Export Inspection Council)

• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority)

The facilities include:

• A semi-automatic chicken processing unit with a capacity of 22 MT/day
• A pork processing unit with a capacity of 15 MT/week
• A goat and sheep meat processing unit with a capacity of 2.5 MT/day

In addition, WBLDCL runs a dedicated chicken and pork processing plant at Phansidewa, Darjeeling, with capacities of 15 MT chicken and 3.5 MT pork per day, serving the North Bengal region and neighboring states.

Feed Production – EPIC: WBLDCL manufactures and markets animal, poultry, and fish feeds under the brand ‘EPIC’ through five feed plants located at:

• Kalyani
• Salboni
• Gajole
• Siliguri
• Matigara

These plants collectively produce 275 MT per day, supporting sustainable livestock farming across the state.

Non-Meat Products: The Corporation has diversified into non-meat products, offering:

• Ghee
• Honey
• Mustard oil
• Spices

It has also launched packaged drinking water under the brand ‘Haringhata Blue’.

Distribution Network: Over 1,000 dealers and franchise outlets across the state help distribute Haringhata and EPIC products efficiently to consumers.

Farms and Breeding Centers: WBLDCL maintains several breeding and commercial farms across West Bengal under the Animal Resources Development Department:

1. Poultry Layer Farms:
   • Kalyani, Nadia (18 crore eggs/year)
   • Mekhliganj, Coochbehar (9 crore eggs/year)
   • Haringhata, Nadia (9 crore eggs/year)
   • Englishbazar, Malda (9 crore eggs/year)
   • Salboni, Paschim Medinipur (9 crore eggs/year)
2. Broiler Breeding Farm at Jatiakali, Jalpaiguri (60,000 breeders)
3. Layer Breeding Farm at Saltora, Bankura (30,000 breeders)
4. Duck Breeding Farm at Kalyani, Nadia (10 lakh ducklings/year)
5. Pig Breeding Farm at Haringhata, Nadia (2,000 fatteners/year)
6. Goat Breeding Farm at Haringhata, Nadia (1,000 parent goats)
7. Sheep Breeding Farm at Kalyani, Nadia

CLART – Centre for Laboratory Animal Research and Training: Located at Buddhapark, Kalyani, CLART is a state-of-the-art preclinical and biological Contract Research Organization (CRO). Approved by the CCSEA, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CLART offers:

• Breeding and supply of rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, and zebrafish
• Research for educational and commercial purposes
• Custom antibody production
• Preclinical toxicity studies
• Drug development and disease research in areas like cancer, diabetes, obesity, ulcers, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, wounds, and infectious diseases

CLART also houses a Disease Investigation Laboratory (Di Lab) for domestic animals and supports research in pharmaceuticals, bio-pharma, agrochemicals, herbal, and nutraceutical sectors.

Training & Capacity Building: WBLDCL operates the Academy of Animal Resources and Management (AARM) at Haringhata, Nadia. The modern, residential training centre conducts programs across various modules of animal husbandry and management.

Hospitality Services: The Corporation owns and manages:

• Subhokhon Guest House and Banquet Hall, Kolkata
• North Point Guest House, Siliguri
• Kaviar Restaurant Chain

Ongoing & Upcoming Projects:

1. Automatic chicken meat processing plant at Haringhata
2. New poultry layer farm in Purulia (2.4 lakh birds)
3. Five bio-methanation plants at poultry farms (organic compost from manure)
4. Poultry premix feed, shrimp feed, and laboratory animal feed plants at Kalyani
5. Rendering plant for chicken waste at Haringhata
6. Modern pig breeding farm at Ramsai, Jalpaiguri

Integration Programs:

• Broiler Integration Program in 16 districts: Employs ~2400 farmers, stabilizes broiler supply chain, promotes self-employment
• Pig Integration Program: Supports poverty alleviation and rural livelihood

Cold Storage Infrastructure: WBLDCL operates 11 cold storages at:

• Belgachia
• Midnapore
• Nandakumar
• Purulia
• Durgapur
• Krishnanagar
• Berhampore
• Malda
• Islampur
• Matigara
• Falakata

These storages ensure preservation and distribution efficiency of meat and meat products.

Veterinary Services: WBLDCL runs 71 Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) to provide essential animal healthcare services in even the most remote corners of the state.

Social Responsibility and Vision: WBLDCL is firmly grounded in its social commitment. The Corporation distributes nearly one crore eggs annually (approx. eight lakh/month) at subsidized rates through state-run social schemes, contributing to public nutrition and welfare.

It also provides extensive rural support through integration programs, training initiatives, and veterinary outreach. CLART enhances research capacity in animal and human health, while disease diagnostics aid in state-wide health management.

By promoting collaborative research, expanding infrastructure, developing robust supply chains, and introducing diversified products, WBLDCL has earned several Brand Leadership Awards. With innovation, entrepreneurship, and social accountability at its core, WBLDCL aspires to become one of the leading government-sector business organizations in India.

Dr. Utpal Kumar Karmakar

Managing Director,
West Bengal Livestock Development Corp. Ltd. (WBLDCL)