Top poultry producer calls for consistent policies, removal of price controls

One of the country’s largest poultry producers called on the government to implement consistent policies for a smooth operation of the industry and to pass on the savings to customers. Going forward, a balanced policy needs to be put in place by the Government to safeguard the interest of all stakeholders. This could result in lower cost of production whereby the benefits can be passed onto the consumers,” Bairaha Farms PLC Chairman M. T. A. Furkhan said.

He noted that despite the government introducing a maximum price of Rs. 480 per kg of skinless chicken last year, the increased taxes will increase household expenses by Rs. 10,000 per month, possibly leading to a dampening demand for chicken. “The absence of price control is desirable in a free market oriented economy as the prices of goods would be set freely by the forces of demand and supply,” he said. However, Furkhan said that the biggest challenge faced by poultry farmers is the need to import raw materials for animal feed at high prices, due to delays in obtaining import permits. “The country would also benefit by saving valuable foreign exchange by enabling feed-millers to source raw materials at low prices.

Our suggestion is to guarantee a mutually agreed reasonable price to the local maize farmers so that the entire Maha maize crop could be purchased directly,” he said. Furkhan added that the remaining maize requirement should be allowed to be imported without restrictions. Meanwhile, he praised the government for the downward revision of the electricity tariff rate applicable for the poultry industry.