The National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC), the apex body of poultry farmers with over 25,000 members, the majority of whom are small and marginal farmers, has requested that the Government of India allocate at least 2 million tonnes of damaged wheat, paddy, and/or broken rice that are unfit for human consumption for use in poultry feed as a partial substitute for maize, the price of which has skyrocketed, causing farmers hardship.
According to NECC, there has been a significant increase in the price of maize over the last year due to a variety of factors beyond farmers' control.
These include increased export volumes and the diversion of significant amounts of maize for biofuel production in Bihar, a major maize-producing state.
According to NECC, the price of maize in the domestic market has risen from 18,000 per tonne to around 25,000 per tonne and is expected to rise further to 30,000 per tonne.
"Because of the increase in maize prices, the average cost of production has risen from $4 per egg last year to $4.75-$5 today." However, the average farm-gate price is around $3.50 per egg, resulting in a net loss of $1.50 to $1.75 per egg for the farmers,” according to the NECC.
In order to survive such continuous losses, thousands of small and marginal farmers, as well as breeders, have already shut down, suspended, or scaled back their operations, according to the report.
"The majority of farmers and breeders are on the verge of insolvency," it continued.
"Under these circumstances, partial substitution of maize with other cheaper commodities is the only viable option to help farmers retain their means of livelihood, as well as to ensure that eggs and chicken continue to be available at an affordable price to the poorer sections of the consumers," it added.
About National Egg Coordination Committee:
National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) is an association of poultry farmers in India with over 25,000 members.
NECC has played a significant role in the improvement of the poultry industry in general, and the egg industry in particular, over the last two decades, through various programmes such as market intervention, price support operations, egg promotion campaigns, consumer education, market research, rural market development, and liaisons with the government on critical industry issues.
