Hyderabad: Chitturi Jagapati Rao — a towering figure in Indian poultry and Chairman of Srinivasa Farms Group — passed away today in Hyderabad at the age of 92.
Just last month, on Dasara, the visionary entrepreneur witnessed the diamond jubilee (60 years) celebration of Srinivasa Farms, the company he founded in 1965 alongside Chitturi Mangayamma.
Widely regarded as a founding force behind India’s organized poultry sector, Jagapati Rao played a pivotal role in transforming backyard farming into one of India’s most powerful livestock industries.
A Legacy of Firsts & Global Recognition
Jagapati Rao was the first Asian recipient of the prestigious Denis Wellstead Award – International Egg Person of the Year 2023, presented by the International Egg Commission (IEC). The honour recognized his lifetime contributions, industry leadership, and impact on global poultry standards.
IEC Chairman Greg Hinton noted during the award ceremony:
“Mr. Chitturi not only built his own business from the ground up but also revolutionised the Indian poultry sector, creating employment, improving systems, and elevating product standards.”
In response, Rao had shared:
“Eggs are not just food—they are hope, health, and the foundation of sustainable nutrition.”
A Vision That Built an Industry
Along with B.V. Rao, founder of Venkateshwara Hatcheries (VH Group), Jagapati Rao is credited with laying the groundwork for India’s modern poultry ecosystem in the 1970s.
Today, because of early pioneers like him:
- India produces 142.77 billion eggs annually, ranking #2 globally
- India stands #4 in chicken production
- Nearly 9 lakh farmers depend on poultry
- The sector generates 6 million jobs
A Future Built on Legacy
Srinivasa Farms continues today under the leadership of his son, Suresh R. Chitturi, who also served as Chairman of the IEC.
Speaking about the milestone and the company’s vision, Suresh said:
“As we celebrated 60 years of excellence, our focus remains on strengthening India’s poultry future — better performance, better nutrition, and better profitability.”
At the recently concluded Poultry India 2025 Expo, Srinivasa showcased its comprehensive poultry ecosystem — including Srinivasa Hy-Line, Srinivasa Ross, premium feed and soya solutions, Hello Eggs & Freshen retail brands, and Jagapati Finance.
A Lasting Impact
From mentoring farmers to advocating fair pricing and modernizing poultry systems, Jagapati Rao leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shape the industry for generations.
His work helped ensure that eggs — one of the world’s most affordable proteins — became accessible, respected, and scientifically improved in India.
🕊 The Eggora community joins the poultry industry in paying tribute to a true pioneer whose dedication helped strengthen India’s food security, rural economy, and nutrition landscape.