Hyderabad (India) is known for several things right from its jewels to its food. Little does anyone know that one of the most remarkable revolutions in the Indian poultry industry also began here. With the introduction of automated poultry mechanisms of the West and an imagination of a greater scope for the industry, Shaik Imam Saab stands as a legend in the poultry industry of India.

Born on 22nd February 1930, Shaik Imam Saab finished his schooling at Nampally Government High School and went on to pursue a BSc in Chemistry at Nizam College. Though he initially pursued pharmacy, his interests lay in manufacturing and the industry, which led him to shift to Microbiology. As the only Indian studying at this University in Nebraska, Shaik Imam Saab moved to America in 1948 to pursue microbiology.

Shaik Saab fondly remembers his stay in America as probably the best part of his life. Being the only Indian in the University during his studies, he attracted curiosity among his American friends, some of whom also became family. One such exceptional friendship was with Prof Dick Earl, who was in the Poultry Department at the Agricultural College of the University. The Prof was also a consultant at a poultry company and had his own farm. His was the first automated farm that Shaik Saab had seen – Verdant, with no human beings and fully automated. This inspired him to think of something similar in the Indian context.

After his studies in the University, Shaik Saab worked with the Health Department of the Municipality of Nebraska. He was also invited to continue to work in America but Shaik Saab wanted to come back to India. After frequent visits to Prof Earl’s farm, he began to get a better understanding of the farm and the knowledge of an organizational setup. When he told the Prof that he was interested in working on a similar set up in India, he asked him how he would manage the feed. Shaik Saab was bewildered with that question and asked, “What is feed?”

Incidentally, the first thing Shaik Imam Saab started working on when he came back to India in 1962 was set up Hyfed Feeds, the first formulated feed company in India. He initially received training and literature from the Technical Cooperation Mission, a scheme that came to India in 1962. The poultry experts under the TCM scheme helped him with the development of the feeder, health care, drinking facility and other equipment to make and mix feed. He also made strong relationships with Dr. Moor and Dr. B.V. Rao, who contributed to his growth in his pursuits in the poultry industry. When Shaik Saab started Hyfed Feeds, the farmers were the first ones who were immensely benefited and became permanent customers. Meanwhile, Godrej and Hindustan Lever also started feed companies but they couldn’t manage to get entry into Andhra Pradesh. This was the period when the poultry industry in the country was beginning to make visible changes.

Hyfed Feed was fully functional till 1967 and simultaneously, around 1966 Shaik Saab began doing trials with birds. By 1967, he set up the first Hyline franchise in India and Hyfed Feeds was replaced by Hyfed Hatchery, with the first batch of 500 birds. He had the biggest franchise of Hyline birds till 1972, after which the company left India. However, by 1971, Shaik Saab built his own hatchery on 10 acres land in Malakpet, which began with two incubators and grew steadily for over ten years. His wife Mrs Jamila Banu and his brother Vikaruddin Saab were instrumental in building and nurturing the hatchery. Dr Sitarama Rao, a retired Veterinarian, joined him and had contributed immensely to the hatchery.

By 1981, he began basic breeding of Hubbard Pureline birds under the Banner of KASILA FARMS PVT LTD., and had the exclusive franchise for Hubbard in India. He started HORIZON FARMS PVT LTD., a parent farm in Mambapur in the year 1985 and tutored his eldest son Mr. Khalid Imam in it. He also started Lohmann Pureline Layer (LSL) breeding unit at Vikarabad under the name of Select Breeders Ltd. in the year 1989-90 for which Mr. Ajaz Imam was incharge of it. He guided Mr. Sajid Imam to start (SPF) Specific Pathogen Free Eggs production in the year 1994 at Kandlapally village, Vikarabad and floated Select Biologicals Pvt Ltd. He had a keen interest in exports which led him to establish Kasila Farms in Sharjah and it was taken care by his youngest son Mr. Ilyas Imam which exported upto 12 countries. By 1992, Shaik Saab developed his own breed Hubchix.

Shaik Saab’s contribution to the poultry industry in India, whether it was mechanizing farms, introducing better bird lines or opening up markets, reflects in the status of the industry as the fastest growing sector in agriculture. Over the years, his friends and colleagues became family and his family, especially his wife and brothers, supported his work in the industry with much care. He has also received exceeding support from the Government in all his initiatives and has maintained healthy cooperation with the state.

Later in the year 2017, he was awarded ‘The Living Legend’ award for his contribution to the Poultry Industry globally.

This living legend has left us all in void on the 14th of April 2021.

The above inputs are framed and given to us by Mrs. Surekha Venugopal (Founder – SV Marketing) who initially joined as a personal secretary to Shaik Saab and was elevated to higher designations in various sectors. Here is what she has to say about him.

Surekha: Shaik Imam Sir was my first boss and there never existed an employee – employer bond between the two of us. The reason behind me considering him as my fatherly figure is that I have lost my father at a very early stage and never got to be guided. The feeling was mutual for us. He never missed an event unattended. From my wedding to my children’s birthday parties which were all small scale, he would show up with a big smile and with the entire family. He taught us the values.

I’m personally very blessed to be under his guidance. He has nurtured and groomed me to be the person I am today in front of you all.

He was a true example of simplicity and diversity which very fondly reminds me of him driving his car to work until the age of 88. He never believed in awards and recognition which is one of the reasons he never received any until the age of 87. This award (‘The Living Legend’) was accepted by him with the greatest effort put across by his oldest son Mr. Khalid Imam. It took us a lot of convincing to see him up on the stage on that day. I cannot stop quoting examples of him, his simplicity and humbleness.

Today, I stand straight and look up to him every single day of my life thanking him in every step I take. He is not just a role model for me, but for my children too, who fondly called him – Shaik Tatha.

Will always move forward in life with all the life lessons learnt from you Sir. We all miss you and this is not a final goodbye. YOU WILL ALWAYS LIVE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER AND EVER.

The information gathered is put up here to the best of my knowledge and ability. Please consider my sincere apologies if I have failed to add a few points or if there is any disparity in his life story.