India is world’s 3rd largest egg producing and 6th largest meat producing country. With an egg laying bird population of about 5 crores, Andhra Pradesh is India’s 2nd largest egg producing state, and with a capacity of about 4 crore broilers, 4th largest poultry meat producing state in the country. In our state about two lakh persons are directly dependent on poultry sector, and another one lakh person are dependent in related sectors like transport etc, Poultry sectors is also helping agriculture farmers, rice millers etc..by consuming coarse cereal grains, oil seed cakes, rice milling by products etc. Both layer and broiler sectors are presently going through an unprecedented crisis due to unimaginable increase in the price of all feed ingredients. Example of price increase two ingredients is given below. Though A.P. is a predominantly agriculture based state, we are presently importing these ingredients from other states, due to acute shortage in our own state.
Maize Prices, Rs. per Ton
| Month 2017 2018 2019 |
| June. 15, 500 14,000 22,000 |
| July. 16,000 14,500 23,000 |
| August 16,500 15,500 25,000 |
De-oiled Rice Bran Prices, Rs. per Ton
| Month 2017 2018 2019 |
| June 11,700 10,550 17,800 |
| July 11,900 10,550 18,200 |
| August 12,200 12,500 20,000 |
Cost per Kg Feed, Rs. per Kg:
| 2017 2018 2019 |
| August 16.75 15.50 24.75 |
Despite this abnormal increase in the feed prices, which contribute about 70% of the cost of production, prices of eggs and meat birds remind at the same levels as last year, creating a crisis in poultry farming sector. Poultry Farmers cannot survive this unprecedented crisis without the support of State and Central Governments.
Areas where Central Govt Support is needed:
- Maize shortage: To overcome the shortage of maize, we request the Govt. to allow duty-free import of maize, liberally and promptly. In the meanwhile we request the GOI to allocate wheat and rice from FCI at subsidized prices.
- Interest Subvention: GOI has incorporated a 2% interest subvention for poultry farmers, but has restricted it to KCC loans. In this hour of need, we request that interest subvention be given to all poultry farms.
3.Poultry compost as organic manure: Poultry litter, with latest composting techniques can be converted into high value organic manure. Government support in the form Market Development Assistance, similar to that of city compost can help in reducing the pollution in poultry and fish farming (poultry manure is used in fish ponds for plankton growth) and also help in reducing the import bill of chemical fertilizers. Government’s vision of Organic farming can also be made a reality.
- Cage Ban issue: A case, filed by motivated animal welfare groups is pending in Delhi High Court, requesting the ban of cage housing of egg-laying birds. Egg producing farms can’t be managed without cages in the present circumstances, as the cost production will be at least twice the present cost, without cages. So, Central Govt. should support continuation of cages.
- Cultivation of Genetically Modified Crops: Present yield per acre of crops like maize and soybeans in India is less than half of that in countries like US, China, Brazil etc. The reason is these countries are cultivating genetically modified crops, unlike India. If Indian Govt. permits cultivation of genetically modified crops, India can stop importing grains like maize, and vegetable oil crops, thus saving huge foreign exchange.
