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Karnataka Poultry industry hit by feed shortage, urges Govt to import

Updated: Jul 29, 2021 09:39:47am
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Karnataka Poultry industry hit by feed shortage, urges Govt to import

Bengaluru, Jul 29 (KNN) The Karnataka Poultry Farmers & Breeders Association (KPFBA) has urged the Government of India to immediately step in and allow for import of soya bean meal, one of the main ingredients for the poultry sector, to help the poultry sector to overcome the current crisis of shortage of feed, consequently resulting in retail price of chicken going beyond Rs 260 per kg.

The KPFBA President, Dr. Sushanth Rai said the cost of production of chicken had doubled in less than a year mainly due to the soaring feed costs.

The association also pointed out that Soya which was Rs 35 per kg last year had more than doubled to Rs 80 per kg. Similarly, maize price had increased from Rs 15 to Rs 25 per kg, making it difficult for poultry farmers to source quality feed.

''The cost of production of chicken had increased from Rs 70 per kg to over Rs 120 per kg and this was affecting both the poultry farmers as well as the consumers,'' KPFBA said in a statement on Wednesday.

The KPFBA President further urged the government to take immediate remedial measures to help the poultry farmers come out of a critical situation, further compounded by the pandemic.

Rai also urged the government to allow duty free import of 12 lakh metric tons of soya bean meal to immediately overcome the crisis. Also the government should take strict action against those traders who were hoarding soya bean meal, resulting in short supply and rise in price.

He said the government should take immediate steps as many poultry farmers were exiting the business, unable to deal with the crisis.

''The government has to also look at it from a health perspective as chicken has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be an immunity booster,'' he added.

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