TN’s 1st chicken feet unit to despatch load to Vietnam

Talking to DT Next on Tuesday, B Rupesh, owner of the unit, said, “I ventured into this business with an investment of Rs 1 crore – thanks to my friend, who is living in China now, who gave me this idea. He told me that there was a great demand for chicken feet in that country and it was the main ingredient for more than 100 delicacies.” 

“Ironically, in our country we dispose of this part of the bird. I saw a good business potential and felt it can contribute to the state exchequer as well. Hence started this unit,” explained Rupesh, who procures 1 tonne chicken feet every day from Bengaluru. 

When asked why he did not pick Chennai for his daily procurement, he said “I go only to Hosur where our supplier from Bengaluru delivers the merchandise. I prefer Hosur, which is closer, as the national highway makes travel easy.” His unit includes walk-in refrigerators of 40 tonnes capacity which can lower temperatures to – 40 degrees C. The chicken feet are cleaned, shaped and then packed in polythene bags before being stored. “A container load costs up to Rs 12 lakh, including a 20 per cent profit,” Rupesh added. “The first shipment of 28 tonnes will be sent to Haiphong and from there it will be diverted to various places where there is demand” he said. 

“Rupesh was given the Rs.1 crore loan after scrutiny of his past track record and repayment capacity,” said Indian Bank lead district manager S Damodaran. 

Chipping in, Vellore DIC (District Industries Centre) GN V Manivannan said, “the loan amount includes a subsidy of Rs 25 lakh. The entrepreneur will have to repay a monthly amount of Rs 1.36 lakh. The project is financed under the central government’s NEEDS (National Entrepreneur cum Enterprise Development Scheme)” he added. Vellore collector SA Raman who recently visited the unit said, “I wanted to see for myself what the project was all about, as I have attended many meetings related to it.”