Only 3 to 5 per cent of the total poultry products in the country are exported and poultry farmers should concentrate more on tapping the global market, a message strongly disseminated by scientists and officials during the 31{+s}{+t}annual conference on ‘Poultry Production for Global Trade’ (IPSACON’ 2014) here on Thursday.
Organised by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Namakkal, and the Indian Poultry Science Association, the conference was inaugurated by Minister for Animal Husbandry T.K.M. Chinnayya, who said that precautionary measures taken by the State government prevented the outbreak of avian flu from Kerala. He said that the State ranks fourth in broiler chicken production and second in egg production in the country. Eggs to the tune of Rs. 11.93 billion were produced in 2012-13 that rose to Rs. 12.55 billion in 2013-14. Also 333.40-tonne broiler chicken was produced in 2012-13 that rose to 496 tonne in 2013-14. “Various schemes were implemented for the industry that will soon make the State a leading producer of poultry products,” he added.
R. Prabakaran, president of Indian Poultry Science Association, said that poultry industry contribute 11 per cent to the country’s total gross domestic product, but pointed out that the market is purely domestic. “Import relaxation of poultry products by other countries should be utilised and exports should be encouraged,” he added.
Collector V. Dakshinamoorthy said that 988 farmers are involved in rearing four crore chicken in Namakkal and there are five lakh broilers and 2.5 lakh country chickens.
“The industry witnesses frequent threats and are effectively managed,” he added.
Vice-Chancellor of the university S. Thilagar wanted a slaughterhouse to be established in Namakkal, so that chickens can be freeze-dried and exports can be done.
“Favourable environment is prevailing here and it could be optimally utilised,” he added. K.P.P. Baskar, MP, and V.K. Sazena, general secretary of the association, also spoke.
The conference souvenir and compact disc was also released on the occasion.
About 200 scientists from across the country are participating in the three-day conference that ends on December 20.