The poultry industry will be a leading sector in the country within a decade, stakeholders said at a recent roundtable meeting.

The New Nation of Bangladesh reports that the Breeders Association of Bangladesh organised the programme entitled 'Present crisis and prospects of poultry industry in Bangladesh' at the National Press Club.

They said they were making progress despite bird flu, price rises of raw materials, market aggression from neighbouring countries and lack of support from the government.

Kazi Zahedul Hasan, President of Breeders Association of Bangladesh expressed said the investment in poultry sector would be doubled within the next five to seven years if the government extends its support.

He claimed that the industry achieved 20 per cent growth during the last 15 years.

Moshiur Rahman, convenor of the Poultry National Coordination Committee, said that the sector would create job opportunity for around 10 million people within next five to seven years.

He said that they were supplying quality protein to the Bangladesh population at the lowest price in the world.

"We are exporting most of the raw materials but competing with the world leaders", Mr Moshiur added.

He praised the role of the farmers and said that they could export poultry products to foreign market if the government takes the necessary steps.

Saidur Rahman Babu, secretary of Breeders Association, added that at present, there are five grand parent stock farms, 40 to 50 parent stock farms and hatcheries, 70,000 to 80,000 poultry farms and 15 to 20 poultry feed mills in the private sector. Veterinary medicines and several raw materials are also producing locally.

He also said that besides egg and chicken, they were also producing chicken nuggets, sausages and several other fast-food items to meet the demand of the present generation.

Syed S. Kaiser Kabir, Adviser, Breeders Association, stressed the need for country strategy, long-term planning and its effective implementation to feed 10 million people to be added by 2015.

Mr Moshiur Rahman said they were informed about 20 to 25 factories in Hazaribagh and adjacent areas where handmade poultry feed were being produced with tannery waste, reports The New Nation.

He said: "We are trying to draw attention about this since the last one year as it is harmful for human health."

Mr Rahman urged the government to take necessary actions to shut down the alleged factories.

The poultry leaders also raised their voice against a decision taken by the Department of Livestock to fix maximum price of day-old chicks, claiming it is illegal. They also demanded the withdrawal of Advance Income Tax on maize imports and the tax on pelleted feed production.

The breeders requested the government's prior planning and preparation for bird flu and urged farmers to maintain biosecurity and keeping healthy environment inside and outside the farms.

They also demanded easy loans for new poultry farmers.