Held in the city of Trichy, the event followed a Training of Trainers (ToT) model. Its goal was to equip thought leaders and technical multipliers with best practices for housing, handling, health, and the welfare of laying hens in alternative production systems — especially cage-free environments.

Certified Humane® was invited to share its technical expertise and present the criteria from its laying hen animal welfare certification program which is implemented in over 25 countries. Luiz Mazzon, regional director for Latin America and Asia, detailed the requirements farms must meet to achieve certification, all based on scientific evidence and objective animal welfare guidelines.

“This was an important opportunity to show that cage-free systems are not only feasible but also productive, technically sound, and increasingly demanded by consumers and global markets,” Luiz stated.

A transformative event for poultry farming in India

The training gathered key players in the Indian poultry sector: university and state veterinarians, experts from the Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), representatives from the Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), equipment suppliers, genetics specialists, and rural entrepreneurs. The aim was to understand, discuss, and scale practices aligned with animal welfare and responsible production.

The new training center will serve as a permanent space for capacity-building, research, and innovation. It is housed on a working cage-free farm, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in practical demonstrations of the concepts covered during the sessions.

Happy Hens as a practical example

One of the event highlights was the participation of Happy Hens, a Certified Humane® egg producer in India. Manjunath Marapan, the company’s general manager, shared their inspiring journey — from ethical beginnings to expansion into highly demanding markets.

Also present was Mathavan, owner of the model farm that now hosts the training center, who has been a key advocate for cage-free systems in the region.

“The Happy Hens case shows that producing with animal welfare in mind is not only ethical — it’s also strategic and economically viable,” Luiz Mazzon emphasized.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: Animal welfare in India: Happy Eggs founder discusses egg market trends

Certification as a technical and marketing tool

Certified Humane® emphasized during the event that certification is a technical, transparent, and auditable process that brings benefits for both farm management and product value.

By meeting the program’s criteria — covering everything from space requirements per bird to feed, health, handling, and slaughter practices — producers align with internationally recognized standards. This can open doors to premium markets and enhance brand reputation among increasingly conscious consumers.

The organization also reinforced that laying hen animal welfare certification is accessible to producers of various sizes, including small and medium-scale farms, provided there is commitment to adapting handling routines.

A significant step for the future of poultry farming in Asia

Certified Humane®’s participation in this milestone reinforces its role as a trusted global reference in promoting ethical, sustainable, and technically sound production systems.

The Tamil Nadu training center signals a broader movement: the cage-free transition in Asia is no longer a distant vision — it’s happening now with support, knowledge, and a clear path forward.