The Hindu Business Line : ‘Treat poultry farming at par with agriculture’

Pune, Feb. 29 Referring to concessions and incentives given to the agriculture sector in Budget 2008-09, especially the loan waiver to farmers, Ms Anuradha J. Desai, Chairman, National Egg Co-ordination Committee and also Chairperson of Venkateshwara Hatcheries, has sought similar relief to poultry farmers.

Like agriculture, poultry farming is an important food production sector, manufacturing the cheapest source of animal protein and other essential nutrients for mass consumption, and there is no reason why it should not be treated at par with agriculture, especially when the Government itself considers poultry as part of agriculture, she said.

For the past three years, the sector has been facing some of its worst crisis in 30 years. After the first outbreak of bird flu in 2006, the industry suffered a loss of Rs 11,000 crore due to fall in farm-gate prices and suspension of exports. Before it could recover, maize prices increased from Rs 500-525 per quintal to Rs 900 and in some places even to Rs 1,000, mainly due to forward trading, exports and speculation by traders.

And now, due to bird flu in West Bengal and consequent ban on movement of eggs into West Bengal and North East, leading to surplus in other markets, the industry has incurred a loss of at least Rs 3,000 crore, she said.

Contribution to GNP

Though bird flu occurs only in farm backyards, which account for 2-3 per cent of the industry, the entire industry, which supports the livelihood of 3.2 million persons and contributes over Rs 40,000 crore to the GNP, had to suffer huge losses, she noted.

Ms Desai pointed out that given this situation, small and marginal farmers solely dependent on the sector for a living — they comprise more than 90 per cent of the industry — are on the verge of losing their livelihood. About 40-50 per cent of the industry may have to close down, and ultimately, consumers will have to pay a higher price for eggs and chicken, she said.

Such a setback would jeopardise not only the livelihood of the 3.2 million dependant on poultry, but also the two crore maize farmers and four million soya bean farmers who provide supplies.

Ms Desai said the industry was not asking for loan and interest waiver for the benefit of large farmers, corporate bodies and poultry processing companies. “We only request that at least farmers having up to 50,000 birds should be given the same treatment as agricultural farmers,” she said.

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