January 25, 2006

Indian poultry farmers gear up for onslaught of MNCs
 

Poultry farmers in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh are seeking special loans and tax waivers as multinationals make forays into the Indian market next year. 

Farmers, exporters, bankers and agricultural officials discussed the problems facing the poultry industry at a session hosted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) recently. A resolution has been made to neutralise any negative impact as the Indian poultry market opens up next year.

US poultry giant Tyson, whose monthly turnover is more than the total annual turnover of India's poultry industry, is expected to enter the Indian market next year. Australian exporters have already sought entry into the Indian poultry market while other heavyweights such as Craft and Nestle are all preparing to enter the fray next year.

Farmers feel a 5 percent interest subsidy on bank loans would help them handle the new challenges.

Meat exporters want better facilities and incentives, as importing countries are getting more particular about quality and hygiene standards. Farmers also want more disease diagnostic and feed analysis labs. Other appeals on the wish list include easy access to loans, and abolishing sales tax on items such as processed chicken, egg powder and feed ingredients.

Andhra Pradesh produces one-sixth of all broiler chicken meat (162,000 tonnes dressed broiler meat) in India. 

There are 56 broiler hatcheries and 10 layer hatcheries rearing about 6.2 million layer parents and 1.5 million broiler parents in the state.