March 18, 2008

Farmers of India state Kashmir protest against poultry price fixing
 

During an interaction on poultry disease, farmers from central Badgam district of Kashmir protested against price fixing of poultry and poultry products based on prices in Amritsar Mandi, Punjab.

The farmers urged the government to use qualified veterinary graduates on the price fixation committee so that producers' interests can be protected.

The farmers are unhappy as they felt that the authorities are favouring Punjabi farmers over them and that they have not received incentives such as free medicines, vaccines, and subsidised feed and chicks. The farmers said subsidization is necessary if the state government wants to achieve self-sufficiency in poultry production and ensure farmers' welfare.

The government's policy is harming the industry, said the farmers, who also requested for the government to assist them in marketing their produce; Badgam farmers produce more than 20 million eggs per year.

The farmer-vets interaction discussed methods of disease control, and farmers were informed of biosecurity measures that could help to prevent infections in their flocks.