The All Ceylon Poultry Product Manufacturers’ Association (ACPPMA) expressed concern over the import of eggs and said it is more profitable to utilise the money that are currently spending to import eggs to be utilized to develop the local poultry industry.
Speaking to the Daily News ACPPMA President Ajith Gunasekara said Sri Lanka is currently spending a large amount of foreign exchange to import eggs from India, but it will be more profitable if this money that are running into millions of dollars could be granted to the local poultry sector to open new farms. He inquired why the Agriculture Ministry and Local Government authorities cannot get together and start new poultry farms with the help of unemployed youth as the country has adequate bare lands, water and also the needy climatic conditions.
He said the price of chicken which is currently sold between Rs.1,100 and Rs. 1,250 a kilo in the open market could be further reduced, if officials take immediate measures to develop the local poultry industry.
“Then the price of both eggs and chicken could be drastically reduced especially during the forthcoming New Year season,” he said.
He also said unlike earlier now many people have started poultry farms even in their home gardens and the Government should encourage them by granting financial loans with low interests.
Meanwhile Trade Minister Nalin Perera said necessary poultry food and medicine are freely available at reasonable prices in the market.
Ananda Kannangara