On the occasion of Women’s Day, Poultry TRENDS presents Mrs. Meghana Mukherjee Salvi – an entrepreneur, writer, blogger and Director at Glamac International Pvt. Ltd.
Meghana followed her father’s footsteps to set foot in the Veterinary pharmaceutical industry. Glamac is the brainchild of her father and idol, Mr Abir Mukherjee, a stalwart in the veterinary industry. As Director of Glamac International, a peerless company driven by innovation and caliber, Meghana is responsible for strategic planning and business transformation in the poultry segment.
A Mathematics graduate having a Masters’s degree in Economics, she likes to study the market, analyze the trends and talk about everything related to Economics. She is a fresh face to the industry and one of the few Indian women working in India’s Poultry Feed Additives business. She is a bibliophile from Mumbai living with her husband and exceptional in-laws.
Drawing inspiration from her father, she knows she has the courage to breach the horizon. Remarkably, not only does Meghana dare to work in a novel field, but she also works hand in hand with her father in making Glamac a long-standing successful entity.
Q: What motivated you to join the Poultry Industry?
Meghana: Sometimes following your father’s footsteps can help you to see the most exhilarating prospects of the world. I grew up observing the Poultry industry and idolizing my father for the commendable feat he would consistently achieve in his remarkable career of over 33 years in the industry. As far as I can remember, I always wanted to be like him. When he started Glamac International Pvt. Ltd. a few years ago, I was excited to be a part of the venture and see how the journey unfolds. Though poultry is a niche industry, it is technically driven and backed by consistent innovation, significantly boosting my creative flair. I knew with my existing skill set and my father’s guidance, I could add value to our company and the Poultry industry.
Q: Young entrepreneurs like you bring fresh energy to the table. What are your ideas for your company?
Meghana: Today, the two most essential resources globally are Data and Content. I believe adequate data and good quality content can be a game-changer for any business. Presently, key account holders and consultants run the show in this industry. The scope of digital marketing is immense. Till now, only a few companies have marked their digital presence. I realized Glamac must go digital. I devoted time to creating and managing brand-specific content to build brand awareness and swell our reach. From revamping our website to exploring new avenues, I make sure Glamac is equipped to expand and diversify its digital presence to remain relevant in these changing times.
Q: How was your journey and the challenges you faced?
Meghana: Post completion of my master’s in 2019, I joined the company. I had no idea that a Pandemic as precarious as Covid would hit the world in the subsequent months. Due to Covid, my journey had started with minor hiccups. Initially, I could not do field visits or interact with the customers. I could not even meet my entire team due to travel restrictions. We conducted most of our business operations through teleconferencing channels. It was challenging not to interact and know the industry at large. Poultry Federation of India’s Symposium, held on 23rd December last year, was the first time I could connect with my peers and other industry experts. It helped broaden my industry outlook and explore several different avenues.
But, Glamac is a startup & new company and penetrating the market is one of the significant challenges we faced in our journey. Reaching out to key consultants and convincing them can sometimes become challenging during this Covid era. Also, expansion of the business to the pan India level in this Covid restrictive scenario was another challenge. For me understanding the whole business model was a great challenge. But both my father and my husband (Adv. Sahil Salvi) motivated me to keep going. Whether I am continuously learning demography and market characteristics, product & technical knowledge & other aspects of the Poultry business, they encourage me always to be the best version of myself.
Q: Could you illustrate your company’s present profile, market and accomplishments?
Meghana: Glamac creates animal nutrition solutions for Poultry & Aquaculture. We have a broad portfolio of superior quality and value-added veterinary formulations. Research forms a significant part of our process. Our collaborations with global organizations only strengthen this. We have dedicated trial farms that facilitate the products’ trials and testing. This synergy with organizations globally and consistent innovation have aided us in pushing the boundaries of animal nutrition.
Quality matters! We understand that at Glamac. Hence, we strive to deliver quality through our meticulous selection of Certified Manufacturing Facilities and International partners. Aided by solid research and technical team, we convert insights into new practical applications every day. Along with a strong product at its heart, our values lie in a deep-rooted service ethic.
From the very first year of our existence, we have traversed a long distance, growing from strength to strength. Over the years, with our vision to innovate and impart quality, we are creating sustainable nutritional solutions for the poultry industry. It has motivated us to make a breakthrough in the markets of India, Bangladesh & Nepal in a short period. Our efforts were redeemed when our organization was awarded with the Fastest Growing Company in the Poultry Segment for creating next-generation nutritional solutions.
Glamac was started a few years ago with a vision that indicated promise. A promise to build a brand that stays true at every step of the journey. It brings me immense joy to be a part of the Glamac family.
Q: As an economist can you give your take on the poultry industry? What do you think is in store for the Poultry industry in the near future?
Meghana: The poultry industry has undergone a massive transformation in the last couple of decades. I am fascinated to see how the sector has transformed from husbandry to a technically driven industry. The spread of integration has rapidly changed the scenario of the poultry market. Also, I believe favourable policy interventions and sustained innovation have improved the organization. It has accelerated commercialization and growth in this sector. Today, more people are open to consuming meat and eggs. The key drivers can be high per capita consumption of poultry products, low production costs, shifts in consumption patterns, and the frozen market expansion. Keeping the above factors in mind, I believe prospects for the poultry industry looks promising.
Both meat and egg production witnessed steady growth year after year. With a production of over 114 billion eggs, India is the 3rd largest egg producer globally (As per FAO estimates). It is also the 5th largest meat maker, with production surpassing 5000 metric tonnes. From 2013 to 2021, the industry observed a growth rate of nearly 43%. The numbers alone speak the story of a glorious future that awaits the poultry industry.
Q: What would you like to tell other women entrepreneurs on this women’s day?
Meghana: Women have come a long way. Today, times have changed because we can witness women in leadership roles across every industry, from hospitality to Astronomy. We have successful female venture capitalists, competent chefs and talented female artists all around us. But, I have realized that women’s participation in Poultry Industry is minimal, but the extent is ample. It would be fantastic to see more female participation in our industry where Madam Anuradha Desai of VH group is a living role model for all women to inculcate interest and inspiration.
Lastly, I would like to say that dreaming is scary, but it can become your reality if you keep at it. I want to tell all the women out there that it is never too late to start. The road to success is often untrodden, and it brings along with it lots of surprises. I can never be too prepared to handle the difficulties that come my way, but I know I am brave enough to tackle them.
To all the lovely women entrepreneurs out there, believe in yourself and be true to yourself. The rest will fall in place.
