HYDERABAD, 30 November 2025: Elmentoz Research Pvt. Ltd., a deep-tech biotechnology firm specialising in animal nutrition and public health, has introduced what it claims is India’s first insect-based Antibiotic Growth Promoter (AGP) replacement technology at the Poultry India Expo 2025. The three-day event is being held at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad from November 27 to 29.
India’s progress in food security over recent decades has shifted policy focus toward nutritional security, particularly the need for safe, high-quality protein for its 1.4 billion citizens. However, the poultry sector, valued at nearly $35 billion, continues to rely heavily on antibiotic-based growth promoters, leading to increased instances of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Studies suggest that nearly 70 per cent of global antibiotic use occurs in livestock production, with poultry in developing economies accounting for over 40 per cent of this consumption. The economic burden on Indian producers is estimated at $2 billion annually, alongside rising public health concerns.
Addressing a technical session at the expo, Dr. Jayashankar Das, Founder and CEO of Elmentoz Research, said India had achieved food sufficiency but now faced the challenge of ensuring nutritional safety. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animal feed, he noted, had emerged as a “silent crisis” that fuels AMR and threatens public health. The company’s work, he said, focused on indigenously developed alternatives that support productivity while reducing antibiotic dependence.
At the conclave, Elmentoz showcased its Smart Protein platform and immune-smart premix, developed using Antimicrobial Peptide (AMP) science and precision formulation. The company said these solutions improve feed conversion, enhance immunity, and support disease resilience without the use of conventional antibiotics. Its flagship product lines, ELGROWR and ELTIDE™, have shown improvements in gut health and growth performance, while also reducing feed costs and increasing farmers’ income by up to 10–20 per cent.
Sessions at the expo highlighted the urgent need to address AMR at the feed stage. The company demonstrated how AMP-based alternatives could help poultry producers achieve antibiotic-free growth, improved Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR), better immunity, and reduced AMR risks across the food chain. All products, the company stated, are manufactured using cGMP standards.
These innovations are expected to be scaled through what Elmentoz describes as India’s largest cGMP-certified BSF (black soldier fly) protein processing facility, set to begin operations in Hyderabad in December. The plant will use automation, robotics, and data-driven bioprocessing, supported by genomic and proteomic research, to produce standardised and traceable natural formulations at scale.
Dr. Padmaja Mohanty, Co-Founder and CTO of Elmentoz Research, said AMR must be viewed as a national health concern rather than a veterinary issue alone. She added that AMP-based nutrition and advanced manufacturing offered an opportunity for India to transition to a safer, antibiotic-free poultry ecosystem aligned with national food safety goals.
The company’s stall at the expo attracted considerable attention from feed manufacturers, integrators, farmers, and academic institutions. Elmentoz has initiated discussions on national-level trials and long-term collaborations aimed at strengthening biosecurity and improving farm efficiencies.
The developments at the event underscore a broader shift in Indian agriculture, where the priority is gradually moving from meeting food demand to ensuring safe and sustainable production. Through its AGP-replacement platform, Elmentoz positions India to contribute significantly to the global effort to curb AMR and safeguard future generations.
