A communication from Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for details on setting up a disease-free zone for table eggs in Namakkal and Tamil Nadu has raised the hopes of poultry farmers here. If realised, poultry farmers are hopeful that it will help improve exports from the district.
Following a representation from Namakkal MP A.K.P.Chinraj, the Ministry has written to the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services for information on creation of ‘Free Zone’ in Tamil Nadu and Namakkal district.
Bird flu outbreaks in other parts of the country had severely hit table egg exports from Namakkal. According to the poultry farmers, 95% of egg exports from India was from Namakkal and in the past one decade the quantity of exports had dwindled from crores to a few lakhs.
PV.Senthil, general secretary of Livestock and Agri Farmers Trade Association, said that around 2008, nearly 1 crore eggs were exported from Namakkal to 17 countries. At present, only five lakh eggs were being exported to one or two countries. “The bird flu outbreaks at different places and international competition have hit exports from Namakkal. Due to lack of formation of various zones within the country, outbreak of bird flu in any other parts of the country has its impact on exports from Namakkal,” he said.
He added that bird flu had never been reported in Namakkal and all infrastructure demanded by foreign countries was there to declare Namakkal a disease-free zone. If declared, the exports could be improved multi fold.
He said besides outbreaks, international competition had also affected exports. “Internationally, countries like Turkey and Russia have been able to sell cheaper than us. The government should offer some incentives to farmers to improve exports,” Mr. Senthil said.
