Why has poultry ‘failed’ in Goa?

GOA - The demand for broilers and other chicken products in Goa is high. It goes still high during tourist season.

Yet, poultry business has not flourished in Goa. Goa largely depends upon Karnataka and Maharashtra for supply of broilers and layers, like it depend for its supply of vegetable, fruit and milk.

As per census conducted by statistical wing of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AHVS) annual demand for eggs is 0115 million per year, and for broilers it is 1664 ton per year.

In organized sector Goa has approximately 1,80,000 birds of hybrid variety, and 5,60,000 of local variety. Non-favourable weather conditions, high cost of poultry feed, which is again imported from outside the state, and increasing labour cost has discouraged growth of poultry in Goa, stated Dr P G Bakhale, Deputy Director, AHVS.

Even as department is offering subsidy through two of its schemes for building small scale poultry farms, and modern poultry farms — poultry business has not grown in Goa thus increasing the dependence on other states as tourism has grown manifold.

Over 3 lakh birds are imported to Goa daily, which is now stopped, due to ban imposed on import of birds thanks to bird flu.

Mario Valadares of Royal Food, who owns four modern poultries blames AHVS for under development of poultry in Goa.

“Department is not encouraging. I have four poultry farms but has not availed of subsidy even for unit because of non co-operation ABVS.” charged Mr Valadares.

Source: Herald