Industry leaders demand political stability to save poultry sector
Country’s poultry industry has suffered a loss of more than Tk 4,000 crore in the last three months due to political instability, said industry leaders said Wednesday.
“One kg broiler is sold at Tk 70-80 at farm level due to political instability while the production cost comes to Tk 110-Tk 120. Breeders have suffered loss of around Tk 382 crore in last three months,” Saidur Rahman Babu, secretary of Breeders Association of Bangladesh (BAB), said at a press conference.
He said the poultry farmers have to sell day-old chick at Tk 15-Tk 20 on an average while the production cost totals Tk 35 each.
Bangladesh Poultry Industries Coordination Committee (BPICC), a body of six major poultry associations, orgainsed the press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in the city to highlight the present scenario of the poultry industry.
Addressing the press conference, BPICC convener Moshiur Rahman said they are unable to bear the losses caused by the ongoing political turmoil. “About 30 percent of the farms have already been closed and the rest are sinking in debt.”
He demanded rescheduling of bank loans, exemption of bank interest, financial support to restart the closed farms and financial incentives to recover losses by the poultry farmers and businessmen.
Moshiur urged the government as well as the opposition to arrive at a consensus for resolving the ongoing political crisis and ensuring peaceful business environment.
Taher Ahmed Siddiki, president of the Egg Producers Association, said their weekly production is around 10.5 crore pieces. “We suffered losses of Tk 266 crore for failure to sell 30 percent of our total production and Tk 364 crore for selling eggs at less than the production cost,” he said.
Rafiqul Haque, secretary of the World’s Poultry Science Association- Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB), said the industry has suffered a loss of Tk 975 crore from commercial broiler poultry farming.
He said if poultry industry crashed, poverty, unemployment and malnutrition rate will go up and the rural economy as well as the food security will face a crucial challenge.
The poultry industry leaders sent memorandums to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia and Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad demanding early removal of the country’s political instability over the next general election.
They also urged the political parties to exempt the vehicles carrying eggs, chicks, chicken and feed from hartal and blockade.
Source: UNB Connect
