The Hindu Business Line : Poultry sector relieved over Centre's measures

The assurance of financial relief doled out by the Central Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has brought some cheer to the poultry industry, badly affected by the avian flu.

The financial package relief might take a little longer to reach the hands of the farmers due to the fiscal year closing.

AMr O.P. Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Venkateshwara Hatcheries, told Business Line that the announcement of the financial relief package was a welcome step, but unless three other factors — input costs, minimum support price and the funding — were not immediately taken care of, the revival of poultry farmers would be a difficult task.

He said the industry expected a minimum support price of about Rs 1.30 an egg and Rs 35 a kg for chicken. The current market price was Rs 0.45 for an egg and Re 1 for chicken. He stressed that the minimum support price should be continued for at least a year.

According to Mr Singh, power was another constraint faced by these farmers; he urged that it be be offered to them on par with the agricultural farmers. The charter of demands that has been placed before the State Government include release of foodgrains such as jowar, bajra, maize etc, — which were the feed for the birds — stocked at the warehouse of the Food Corporation of India free of cost, advertisements promoting the consumption of chickens and eggs and its health benefits across Maharashtra, sealing the State's border for imports from other States. It has also sought financial compensation from the State of of about Rs 60 for broiler birds and Rs 90 for layer birds.