Middlemen big problem for soaring egg price: Farida

Citing middlemen's role as a major problem for raising egg price across the country, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said steps will have to be taken to eliminate middlemen's role by forming cooperative societies of egg producers to ensure its supply to consumers directly through dealers.

"The producers should form cooperative societies to eliminate domination of middlemen in the egg market . . . Through this, producers will be able to supply egg to consumers directly through dealers," she told farmers at a function today.

The adviser was speaking as chief guest at a view-exchange-meeting with local fishermen and marginalised poultry farmers at the Pabna District Commissioner's office this afternoon.

In such a situation, the adviser said the producers-consumers will benefit through forming cooperative societies and consumers will be able to purchase egg at an affordable price.

Mentioning that due to the climate change the country is experiencing extreme weather condition, Farida Akhtar said that production of egg has decreased drastically. 

"Apart from this, egg production has also been disrupted because the recent heavy rains and floods affected many poultry farms," she added.

When her attention was drawn to the price hike of poultry feed and chicks, Farida Akhtar advised them to be independent farmer without going for contract farming.

"Through contract farming, the traders are doing business as their wishes, and they are making profits but the real farmers are not getting any benefit," she observed.

In the case of poultry feed, the adviser said the government would no more allow a few companies to hold hostage feed business.
 
Urging women entrepreneurs to raise domestic chickens, she said, "It is possible to increase the production of domestic chickens and eggs . . . it could be economically more profitable."

"Earlier, rural women used to rear local chickens and sell to wholesalers in their villages . . . by doing so, they could contribute to the economy. That situation must be brought back again," he added. 

Farida Akhtar also assured of taking all necessary measures for the development of the poultry industry.

Pointing out the huge potential in the fisheries and livestock sector in Pabna district, the adviser said the government wants to solve this sector's problems and thus establish the social status of the people who are fulfilling the country's demand for egg, fish and meat.
 
Replying to another question, she said the government is working to ensure the welfare of the ethnic communities in the Pabna district.

Pabna Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Mofizul Islam presided over the programme. 

Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Syed Mahmud Belal Haider, District Livestock Officer Dr AK SM Musharraf Hossain, District Fisheries Officer Md Abul Kalam, fishermen and farmers of different upazilas of Pabna were present there.