Count your chickens

Annually, the State produces around 7 crore eggs, one-third of the production in the country. Broiler industry growing 15-20 per cent every year.

The Indian poultry industry is showing positive signs with the 7-8 per cent growth in egg production. Around 20 crore eggs produced and consumed per day with around 24 crores birds.

The State produces around 7 crore eggs with 9 crore birds, one-third of the total egg production in the country. Broiler industry is showing 15-20 per cent growth with 250-300 crore birds produced every year with an average of 2 kg each.

“The industry also want to concentate on exports for its growth. The country exports 40-45 lakh eggs per day to countries in West Asia and contributes to the foreign exchange. There is also continuous growth in per capita consumption and presently standing at 57 eggs in the country and 80 eggs in the state,” says D Sudhakar, president, Andhra Pradesh Poultry Federation.

Talking about current challenges for the industry, he said, “We are facing tough time with the drastic increase in input costs. Almost 80 per cent of the feed for poultry is derived from Soya and Maize. “With these product prices touching sky high, because of heavy exports of Soya to Iran and Southeast Asian countries and exports of Maize to Southeast Asian countries.

“These pushed the market price of maize by more than 50 per cent touching Rs.17,000 per tonne, from Rs.11,000 per tonne six months ago. While, Soya touched the Rs.50,000 per tonne from Rs.18,000 per tonne six months ago. The increase in these feed prices passed burden on the farmer with the production cost going to Rs.3.25 per egg from Rs.2.50 six months ago and the cost of broiler increased from Rs.48 to Rs.68 per kilogram during this time.

“Despite increase in feed prices, the support from the State government has encouraged the industry. As poultry is agriculture-allied activity, driving the sales of various agriculture produce and a very important food commodity, the government is going to enable the farmers with the existing agriculture land to set up a poultry farm by removing impediment of converting in to non-agricultural land. It is also trying to nullify agricultural market cess on poultry products,”

“We are also confident the feed prices will come down soon with increase in the acreage of soya production from 6-7 lakh hectares to 11 lakh hectares. Soybean production this kharif season is expected to be touch 14-15 million tonnes against 11 million tonnes last season. The prices have already showing positive signs with this impact. With the continued support from the state government along with decrease in feed prices will definitely enable of the growth of industry,” he added.

Tags: Broiler industry, eggs

Category: Business, Business News