The Bangladesh Poultry Association, representing small-scale farmers, has requested a fund of 1,000 crore taka in the upcoming 2023-24 fiscal year budget. The association demanded the cancellation of privileges enjoyed by the Syndicate Corporate Group, which holds a 20 percent market share in egg and chicken production. They argued that protection should be provided to marginal farmers who contribute 80 percent to the industry. The association proposed the creation of a 1,000 crore tk fund for small farmers and urged all banks to offer loans to support their production.
The association criticized the Department of Livestock (DLS) officials for not adequately safeguarding poultry farmers, alleging their cooperation with corporate entities and the drafting of a Poultry Policy 2008 that legitimizes market syndicate instrumental contract farming. Additionally, they highlighted the significant increase in maize prices due to the Ukraine-Russia war, leading to higher costs of poultry feed. The association called for the disbandment of the corporate syndicate, as chicken production companies sell chicks and poultry feed to farmers at significantly higher prices than their production costs.
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