Govt to release 8 lt maize to poultry farmers at lower rates

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, June 28 (UNI) The Government has announced to release eight lakh tonnes of Maize to poultry farmers at a considerably lower rate than the current market price to help them recoup from the heavy losses suffered by them following the Bird Flus care.

Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar made the assurance to a delegation of poultry farmers led by Ms Anuradha Desai, Chairperson, National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC), which met him here yesterday, a NECC release today said.

Mr Pawar has agreed to allocate eight lakh tonnes of Maize at a price of Rs 450 to Rs 500 per quintal which is considerably lower than the current market price of Rs 700 per quintal.

In addition to maize, Government will also allocate 60,000 tonnes of Jowar and about 7,000 tonnes of Bajra to poultry farmers.

The Government's decision to allocate maize at Rs 450 to Rs 500 per quintal will nullify the impact of increase in maize prices in the open market.

Earlier in April, the Government had announced that 5.3 lakh tonnes of Maize will be released to poultry farmers.

Usually, every year during May-June, before the onset of monsoon, the price of Maize in the open market increases, and the Government releases stocks from its godowns to ease the pressure on the price.

However, this year, considering the poultry industry has suffered huge losses amounting to not less than Rs 10,000 crore, the Government has decided to release the maize for exclusive use of poultry farmers, instead of releasing it in the open market.

About 85-90 per cent of the maize produced in the country is consumed by the poultry industry.

It has also been decided that the distribution of the ingredients will be done by the Directors of Animal Husbandry in each State, based on the data of requirement and other technical support provided by NECC.

Normally, the price of maize ranges between Rs 520 to Rs 600 per quintal. But this year, it has gone up to an all time high of Rs 700 per quintal. As a result, the break even level for production of eggs and chicken has increased by 25-30 per cent.

At the same time, the farm gate price of eggs and chicken did not increase correspondingly and poultry farmers who have already suffered heavy losses were incurring more losses due to the increase in input costs.

The Minister has also said that the process of zoning and compartmentalisation will be completed soon, so that export of eggs can resume, the release added.

UNI BBS VD KP1735

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