In clear dismissal of request for sops by domestic poultry industry in order for it to withstand competition from multinationals in search for newer markets, Union minister for Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh suggested for an integrated approach whereby private sector, government and stakeholders may strive towards achieving global standards in poultry production.
Growing demand in Asia and Africa is a key driver for the expected growth in the global poultry industry, and players from Brazil and other emerging markets have started to internationalise and diversify the industry after saturation of markets in Europe and United States of America, he noted, in his inaugural address at the annual general body meeting of the Poultry Federation of India (PFI) here on Friday.
In the changed competitive environment, for a sustainable growth, multi-disciplinary in nature and across may specialised domains, an integrated approach is necessary, he averred.
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Earlier, president of PFI Ramesh Chander Khatri, and advisor Vijay Sardana, in their speeches, made a forceful plea to the Minister for support from the government, as arrival of cheaper poultry from countries such as Brazil would wipe out the industry in India leading to large scale unemployment.
Mr. Sardana expressed fear over the possible free trade zone agreement among the BRIC nations, which could lead to Brazilian poultry inundating Indian markets.
Prices of feed such as maize and soy have been internationally on the downward curve, while in India, they are on the rise, he said, elaborating various reasons for the phenomenon.
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Issue of customs duty
He exhorted the government to do away with the customs duty on the amino acids and enzymes required in poultry production, and classify the industry as agricultural activity. National Poultry Policy too was sought.
Mr.Khatri pointed out that 60 per cent of the maize farmers and 80 per cent of the soya farmers are dependent on the poultry industry, and its collapse will adversely affect lakhs of people.
The Minister assured that a meeting will be organised with the poultry industry representatives, to discuss these issues, and take a decision “in the interest of the nation”.
Central initiatives
Mr. Singh listed various measures being taken by the Central Government for livestock farmers, and referred to the National Livestock Mission, and APMC Act.
India’s unorganised and backyard poultry sector is also one of the potent tools for subsidiary income generation for many landless and marginal farmers, he noted, and said ways are to be explored for this sub-sector to be integrated with organised sector. National Livestock Mission assists the BPL families in rearing backyard poultry.