Poultry farmers demand Tk 1,000cr fund in next budget
Staff Reporter :
The poultry farmers wanted the Prime Minister’s intervention to save the country’s poultry sector. They said, some corporate houses in the country are controlling the poultry markets. They are selling poultry feed at high prices under the excuse of high cost in the international market, they alleged.
As a result, small and medium poultry farmers of the country are now facing severe losses due to this abnormal price hike of poultry products and the control of the poultry market by a handful of corporate houses, the farmers said.
They said this, from a human chain and rally organised by Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday.
In the interest of the consumer and to keep the small, medium and marginal farmers alive, the BPA leaders demanded of the government to form a fund of Tk 1,000 crore in the next budget to provide loan facilities among the poultry farmers from all banks of the country.
They said that maize was sold at Tk 28 per kg in 2021 and now selling at Tk 41 a kg. On the other hand, a 50-kg sack of poultry feed was sold at Tk 2500 in 2021 and now selling at Tk 3700 by the producers, who are allegedly controlled the country’s poultry market, they said.
Highlighting the present scenario of the poultry industry, they said that some corporate houses have started business in the name of contract farming to wipe out the small, medium and marginal poultry farmers.
Marginal farmers alleged that the corporate companies do not sell chicks to farmers unless they enter into contract farming.
They also said that, they have to spent Tk 170-175 to produce one kg of broiler chicken.
President of Bangladesh Poultry Association Sumon Howladar said, “If the small, medium and marginal farmers, who supply 80 per cent eggs in the market, cannot be kept alive, the common people will not be able to buy and eat eggs and broiler chickens even at high prices in the future.”
Considering the reality, he sought the Prime Minister’s intervention in the poultry industry and its main driving force, the small, medium and marginal farmers to protect the sector from the grip of corporate companies.
The farmers have also alleged that they are forced to sell chicken at a loss of Tk 20-25per kg than the production cost due to the syndicate of the corporate companies as they control the market prices.
The prices of poultry products depend on the will of corporate houses as if they want can increase or reduce the prices, they said.
Farmers, who contract with the corporate houses, are only benefiting, while the marginal farmers are suffered and the consumers also have to buy eggs and broiler chickens at higher prices, they said.
BPA leaders said that, the marginal farmers supply 80 per cent eggs and chickens of the total demand, while corporate traders supply only 20 per cent.
