RISE IN CHICKEN PRICES

PANJIM: Hike in cost of feed and the lack of labour is driving up the price of chicken, a 20 per cent rise in the price of chicken, a rich source of protein for non-vegetarian families. Compared to last year, prices have increased by 20 per cent but retailers are yet to report a drop in sales.

Mr Jose Oliveira, a poultry farmer from Merces complained that there are practical problems nagging the business. Not enough farms, no skilled or unskilled labour, shortage of feed, lack of infrastructures… The list could go on.

“The market is good, but high input costs eat into profits,” he said. There are only eight to nine poultry farms in the State which produce less than 10 per cent of the annual demand for chicken meat.

“All, the farm products sold in Panjim are imported from neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and others,” he informed.

The reason is simple. Labour is cheap and feed is available in abundance at a much cheaper rate.

This year alone farmers had to cope with a ` 200 hike in feed costs and a 20 per cent rise on chicks. With labour in short supply the few that are available call the shots. The demands range double wages, food accommodation and other benefits. All labourers working in poultry farms are migrants and no Goans in the area are willing to do the work.

“No one is aware of the problems we face,” said Mr Oliveira. “A sudden hike in feed costs or chicks can upset all business plans.” Farmers sell live birds at ` 65 a piece while dressed ones go at ` 85. There is sufficient profit margin for the retailers who hike the rate by another ` 20 and sell it to the customer. The present rate in the market is — ` 109 for a broiler, legs, ` 149, wings, ` 99, breast ` 199 and Kheema ` 195. (NT)