Maize price rise casts shadow on poultry units

Steady rise in the price of maize – the prime feed for the poultry birds – in the local market is prompting the poultry farmers to look for alternatives such as importing the feed.

In the last six months, the price of maize went up from Rs. 1,300 to Rs. 1,850 per quintal and is fluctuating. The same is the case with the prices of egg, which is getting dwindled in the local and the export market as well. As a result, the poultry farmers are experiencing higher input costs and meagre returns, thus looking for alternatives to reduce the input cost.

Plea to Minister

“A delegation from the poultry industry called on Union Minister for Commerce Nirmala Sitaraman early this week and sought permission to import five lakh metric tonnes of maize. The Minister responded positively and said that the option of tax waiver on the import will be considered,” says Padala Subba Reddy, president of Anaparthy Poultry Farmers’ Welfare Association and director of the State Veterinary Council.

The poultry farmers from Andhra Pradesh imported five lakh tonnes of maize from Russia in the beginning of this year. However, the price fluctuation in the local market has been making them exercise the same option again to ensure the survival of their poultry farms. Of the total five crore birds in 10,000 farms across the State, 1.35 crore birds are in East Godavari district in about 650 farms. Each bird consumes about 80 gram of feed every day and maize is the most sought-after feed by all the poultries, which is cost-effective as compared to the other feed.

Egg production

With regard to egg production, a major chunk is from East Godavari district, as its share is 1.10 crore eggs of the total 4.25 crore being produced every day.

“Without feeding the birds, how can we expect them to brood?” asks Mr. Reddy. The price hike in the maize is affecting the district badly, as the feed requirement is higher here when compared to the other districts. “But, feed is a perennial problem and there is an immediate need to find a long-term solution to this problem. Otherwise, it is going to be tough for the poultry farmers to continue their units in the future,” he points out.