Low egg prices dishearten Magura layer poultry farm owners
Egg is being sold at Tk 65 per dozen in the local market as against Tk 84 two months ago
Sunday, 25 March 2018
Our Correspondent
MAGURA, Mar 22: Layer poultry farm owners of the district are disappointed for the low market price of egg.
The district Layer Farm Owners' Association sources said poultry feed price has increased in the last six months, on the other hand, egg rate has fallen abnormally during the last two months. In this situation layer poultry farms across the district have been fighting for survival.
The district livestock office sources said there are 135 layer poultry farms in the district, of which only 84 are registered.
Sources said maize is an important ingredient in layer feed. Maize is being sold at Tk 55 per kg which was Tk 30 six months ago. Another ingredient, soya, is being sold at Tk 55 per kg as against Tk 28.
Egg is being sold at Tk 65 per dozen in the local market as against Tk 84 two months ago.
A good number of farm owners said sudden rise in number of layer poultry farms is main reason behind fall in egg rate. At present demand of egg in the district is only 0.2 million a day while the production is 0.5 million. The district is now producing 0.3 million surplus eggs per day.
District Poultry Farm Owners' Association President MH Rahman Shiblu said an egg is being sold at Tk 5.50 while per egg production cost stands at Tk 6.50.
Zillur Rahman, a layer farm owner in Shekhpara village under Sadar upazila, said he set up the poultry farm investing Tk 1.0 million. "If such situation prevails my farm will face closure within the next three months, it will be difficult for me to repay the loan", he added.
Director of the Magura Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rasul Meer urged the government to take immediate steps in this connection.
He said if such situation continues for the next few months, most of the layer poultry farms will save closure. Then only few farms will dominate the market hiking egg price to cash money. In that case egg price may go beyond the reach of common people.
District livestock officer Kanai Lal Sharnaker admitted the existing crisis of layer industry. Abnormal rise in number of layer farms is the main reason for the price fall.
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