Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) has raised 10 demands, including ensuring fair prices for the products produced by the country's marginal farmers and closing down the companies syndicate.
The organization has announced to stop egg and chicken production in marginal poultry farms across the country from January 1 if these demands are not met.
This information was shared in a notice signed by Bangladesh Poultry Association President Suman Hawladar on Sunday.
The notice said that despite repeated requests to the government to resolve the crisis to protect the interests of marginal farmers, the matter is not getting attention. On the contrary, the government is cooperating with the corporate syndicate. We have appealed to the government to take specific steps so that marginal farmers can survive in the country's poultry industry.
Stating that this sector, which employs about 5 million people, is at serious risk due to the syndicate, the notice said that if the government does not take action in this regard now, there may be long-term damage to the poultry sector.
“Despite repeated demands to the government, the government is cooperating with the syndicate without taking action against them. Therefore, we are giving a short-term ultimatum. If the government does not take immediate and effective steps, we are announcing a program to close marginal farms in all districts and upazilas of the country.
The 10-point demands are-
1. Currently, corporate companies are also participating in egg and chicken production. Due to this, small farmers are not able to compete in the market. Therefore, corporate companies should be limited to the production of feed and chicks only.
2. Commercial eggs and chickens production should be stopped.
3. Chick and feed syndicates should be stopped.
4. Fair prices for the products produced by marginal farmers should be ensured.
5. Loans and subsidies should be provided on easy terms for small farmers.
6. Incentives should be provided for affected farmers.
7. Separate market facilities should be created for marginal farmers.
8. Government policies should be made to control corporate syndicates.
9. The trap of contract farming should be stopped.
10. Training and consultancy services should be provided to marginal farmers.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
