Flu-hit farmers warn price hike

INDIA - The bird flu-hit poultry industry has cautioned the government that the prices of poultry products would rise substantially if the poultry farmers are not provided timely assistance to restock their farms.

In a note to the agriculture ministry, the Poultry Federation of India (PFI) has asked for a calamity relief assistance package of Rs 1,436 crore for the industry. This includes Rs 987 crore to be provided as grant and Rs 449 crore as soft loans to different segments.

“There is likely to be a huge shortage of poultry products in the coming months because in the last two months very poor placements have taken place in the poultry farms. This will lead to very high prices in the coming months, causing hardships to consumers”, the PFI has warned.

The federation has pointed out that the recent bird flu outbreak, though confined and efficiently contained in Navapur and Jalgaon, has ruined the health of the industry.

A large number of small poultry farmers may not be able to restart operations without financial help.

Source: Business Standard
calendar icon 6 July 2006
clock icon 1 minute read
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