The Hindu Business Line : NECC asks AP Govt to recognise poultry as agri activity

Feed price Impact
The livelihood of people dependant on the industry were severely hit by the unprecedented rise in the price of the feed in the last three years.

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, April 27 Still fighting to come back after the bird flu crisis last year, the National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC) has asked the Andhra Pradesh Government to come out with supportive measures, including recognising the poultry industry as agricultural activity and keeping maize away from the futures trading.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the Irrigation Minister, Mr Ponnala Lakshmaiah, and Members of Parliament, said the poultry industry, which suffered heavily due to the bird flu crisis, was further burdened by steep increase in the price of feed ingredients.

Agri activity

Stating that the State led the country with 5.5 crore eggs a day, the NECC said about 10 lakh people depended on poultry activity. At the national level, the industry contributed Rs 40,000 crore to the gross national product, besides providing employment to over 32 lakh people. It also supported two crore maize growers and four lakh soya farmers.

The livelihood of lakhs of people dependent on the industry were severely hit by the unprecedented rise in the price of the feed in the last three years. “The price of maize has gone up to Rs 1,000 a quintal from Rs 500, showing a 100 per cent jump,” it said.

Cost escalation

This, the NECC felt, was unjustifiable keeping in mind the increase in maize production to 16.8 million tonnes from 14 mt last year. “This is entirely due to forward trading, speculation and hoarding by traders and multi-national companies,” they alleged.

“As a result the cost of egg production has gone up to Rs 1.80 from Rs 0.90. The cost of broiler production had gone up to Rs 38 from Rs 27,” it pointed out.

Farm-gate prices

The farm-gate prices, however, had not increased proportionately, leaving the farmers in huge losses. Andhra Pradesh, being the largest poultry producing State, was the worst hit.

“We need your support to tide over the crisis. We want you to ensure ban of forward trading in maize. We also want a Government agency to regulate maize and soya meal exports,” it said.

Asking the Government to regard the industry as an agricultural activity, it said the status would help it get power and inputs at subsidised prices.

It also asked the Chief Minister to make eggs mandatory in the mid-day meal programme.

More Stories on : Poultry | Andhra Pradesh

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