more-in The poultry industry across the district, which was facing a slump for the past four years, is on the path of recovery this year, thanks to the fall in the price of feed and other ingredients and reasonable increase in the procurement price of eggs. The poultry industry was launched in the district in a small way three decades ago. A group of farmers affected by recurring drought conditions set up small poultry units with birds ranging between 1,000 and 10,000 birds. Currently, the farms have set up modern equipment, instead of workers, for feeding and providing water to the birds. The Namakkal Zone of the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) accounted for about 1,100 poultry farmers who own more than 4.5 crore layer birds (egg laying birds). Of this, Namakkal district alone houses about 75 % of the farmers and more than 80 % of the total strength of the birds. About three crores eggs are produced per day in Namakkal zone, which was only second behind the Hyderabad zone in eggs production. The makka cholam, soya, sunflower, mustard seeds cakes, rice bran (thavidu) are the maid feed of the birds. These items were being received from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra. The industry suffered a big jolt, when the price of the feed and other ingredients skyrocketed in 2013 and 2014. According to A. K. P. Chinraj, president, Tamil Nadu Poultry Farmers’ Association, the price of these ingredients increased by about 20 % in 2013, due to which the poultry units suffered heavy financial loss in 2012-13 and 2013-14. The feed was transported in lorries and the repeated fuel price hike further worsened the situation. Due to the recurring loss, the farmers did not add to the strength of the birds, leading to fall in egg production in subsequent years, Mr. Chinraj told The Hindu. Due to this there was a slump in egg production and it continued till last year. The egg production which stood at 3.36 crores per day in 2013, went down to 3.14 crores per day in 2014, 3.05 crores in 2015, and 2.84 crores in 2016. During last year, the production further slumped to 2.81 crores per day. Mr. Chinraj is happy that the feed cost has come down of late. The procurement price of egg has also increased now and the farmers were getting ready to expand the farms by introducing more layer birds. “The industry is on the road to recovery and the egg production will increase and will reach its old glory within six months”, Mr. Chinraj said.

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