Rangpur poultry farms in dire straits
Our Correspondent | Friday, 18 March 2011
Our Correspondent
RANGPUR, Mar 17: Poultry growers of Rangpur district have been facing huge financial losses due to the abnormal price hike of poultry feed and medicine over the last few months. About 35 per cent of poultry farms of the district have been closed so far and many are on the verge of closure. According to sources the prices of poultry feed, medicine and other inputs have been increased abnormally but the price of matured chickens did not rise. As a result, the poultry growers are facing a great loss and are being compelled to close their farms. Sources of poultry growers said, the price of poultry feed such as soyabean, maize, protein is much higher. Presently per sack (50 Kg) of soyabean is being sold at Tk 1800 to Tk 1900 while it was Tk 1300 to Tk 1400 few months ago, per sack of maize is being sold at Tk 1150 against its previous price of Tk 850 few month before, protein per sack (25 Kg) is sold at Tk 1900 while it was Tk 1500 before. At present the price of a big hen is 120 per kg whereas the production cost of the hen is Tk 130 to 135 per Kg. Lokman Ali (45), a big poultry grower of Haragach under Kawnia Upazila in Rangpur district told the FE that he purchased a day old chicken at Tk 48 per piece and all other costs like feed, medicine and maintenance are very high. But the price of grown chicken is less than the production cost. As a result they have to incur substantial losses, he added. Repeated fall in price is making the situation impossible for the middle and small size poultry growers, said Mahabub Alam, president of Rangpur Poultry Owners Association. He said every month they have to spend a huge amount of money to buy medicines for poultry which is seriously hindering their business. In this situation, he urged the government to give subsidy on poultry medicine and electricity that are used in the industry. He also made and appeal to the government for taking urgent measures for saving the prospective industry from ruination. Agri fair begins Another message adds: A 6-day long agriculture, fishery and livestock technology fair organised by Agriculture Extension, Fisheries and Livestock Departments began at Khamarbari area in Rangpur city on Tuesday. Divisional Commission, of Rangpur Jasimuddin Ahmed formally inaugurated the fair as chief guest. A total of 40 stalls have been set up in the fair. Different kinds of agri-inputs, fruits, fisheries, livestock items are being displayed in the fair. The fair will continue till March 20. Workshop held BSS adds: Speakers at a workshop Wednesday stressed creating adequate social awareness about HIV/AIDS for preventing its spreads to maintain a safer and healthy society from the wrath of these deadly diseases. They emphasised disseminating proper knowledge and education to the people, especially the vulnerable people, about the dreadful diseases to check its spreading through effective participation of all. Coordinated efforts of all including health officials and workers, media, law enforcers, youth, civil society, government officials, public representatives and teachers could play a vital role to achieve the ultimate goals, they said.
RANGPUR, Mar 17: Poultry growers of Rangpur district have been facing huge financial losses due to the abnormal price hike of poultry feed and medicine over the last few months. About 35 per cent of poultry farms of the district have been closed so far and many are on the verge of closure. According to sources the prices of poultry feed, medicine and other inputs have been increased abnormally but the price of matured chickens did not rise. As a result, the poultry growers are facing a great loss and are being compelled to close their farms. Sources of poultry growers said, the price of poultry feed such as soyabean, maize, protein is much higher. Presently per sack (50 Kg) of soyabean is being sold at Tk 1800 to Tk 1900 while it was Tk 1300 to Tk 1400 few months ago, per sack of maize is being sold at Tk 1150 against its previous price of Tk 850 few month before, protein per sack (25 Kg) is sold at Tk 1900 while it was Tk 1500 before. At present the price of a big hen is 120 per kg whereas the production cost of the hen is Tk 130 to 135 per Kg. Lokman Ali (45), a big poultry grower of Haragach under Kawnia Upazila in Rangpur district told the FE that he purchased a day old chicken at Tk 48 per piece and all other costs like feed, medicine and maintenance are very high. But the price of grown chicken is less than the production cost. As a result they have to incur substantial losses, he added. Repeated fall in price is making the situation impossible for the middle and small size poultry growers, said Mahabub Alam, president of Rangpur Poultry Owners Association. He said every month they have to spend a huge amount of money to buy medicines for poultry which is seriously hindering their business. In this situation, he urged the government to give subsidy on poultry medicine and electricity that are used in the industry. He also made and appeal to the government for taking urgent measures for saving the prospective industry from ruination. Agri fair begins Another message adds: A 6-day long agriculture, fishery and livestock technology fair organised by Agriculture Extension, Fisheries and Livestock Departments began at Khamarbari area in Rangpur city on Tuesday. Divisional Commission, of Rangpur Jasimuddin Ahmed formally inaugurated the fair as chief guest. A total of 40 stalls have been set up in the fair. Different kinds of agri-inputs, fruits, fisheries, livestock items are being displayed in the fair. The fair will continue till March 20. Workshop held BSS adds: Speakers at a workshop Wednesday stressed creating adequate social awareness about HIV/AIDS for preventing its spreads to maintain a safer and healthy society from the wrath of these deadly diseases. They emphasised disseminating proper knowledge and education to the people, especially the vulnerable people, about the dreadful diseases to check its spreading through effective participation of all. Coordinated efforts of all including health officials and workers, media, law enforcers, youth, civil society, government officials, public representatives and teachers could play a vital role to achieve the ultimate goals, they said.