Sorry state of poultry industry at Magura

More than 200 poultry farms have been closed during last two years in Magura district, sending hundreds of people to unemployment. Bird flu, price hike of poultry drugs and feed and fall in the price of poultry birds are the reasons to bring disaster in poultry industry.

Alone in 2007, due to severe attack by bird flu at least 100 farms were closed in Magura district. The existing farms are facing setback due to price hike of poultry feed and low rate of fowls and high rate of poultry chicks.

Price hike of poultry feed is one of the main reasons behind the deplorable condition of poultry business. Poultry feed per bag of 50 kg is being sold at taka 1300 as against 850 two years ago. Poultry chicks of one day are being sold at taka 46 as against taka 38 two years ago.

On the other hand, mature poultry bird per kg is being sold taka 110 as against taka 130 three months ago. Some poultry farms have also been closed due to the interference by the local administration. Requesting anonymity a farm owner informed, "In 2006 I started a farm in my own land. At that time there was no house nearby. But subsequently some houses were built in that area. Following the complain of the house owners, the administration sealed my farm in the name of saving environment from pollution.

By this time, many educated youths have become jobless due to the closure of the farms Many workers who were involved in poultry farms are now passing hard days as they have no jobs. Poultry feed shop owners are also sufferers for this situation. Mehedi Maruf, a poultry shop owner said that the recovery of more than taka five lakh has become uncertain due to the closure of huge number of farms. Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Jubo Unnyan Directorate, Grameen Bank and BRAC Bank are also getting difficulty in realising their invested money which was disbursed among the owners of the closed farms.

When contacted, District Livestock Officer said that Bird flu is the main enemy of poultry farms, but the attack of bird flu can be controlled by providing firm owners and workers with proper training.

General Secretary of district poultry farm owners said that the government should consider the deplorable condition of poultry farms as a national crisis. He added that to save this industry government has to extend technical support as well as financial help.