CHENNAI: The ongoing strike by poultry farmers over low chicken-rearing rates reverberated in the Assembly on Friday, with legislators cutting across party lines urging the State government to convene trilateral talks to resolve the crisis that has driven up broiler prices and hurt consumers.
The issue was raised during Zero Hour through a special call attention motion, with members stressing that farmers were not protesting against the government but were seeking a fair revision of rearing charges through structured negotiations. Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) legislator ER Eswaran said the demand was limited to a workable solution and thanked the government for announcing district-level committees to look into the issue.
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) legislator P Abdul Samad described the current rearing rate of Rs 6.50 as grossly inadequate and welcomed the State's decision to constitute a committee to study the farmers' demands. AIADMK member AK Selvaraj said repeated representations to the Chief Minister and ministers had failed to yield results, despite assurances, and called for immediate trilateral talks involving the government, farmers and broiler companies.
PMK MLA R Arul said poultry farmers were facing severe distress and sought the Chief Minister's direct intervention. CPM legislator VP Nagaimaali demanded a rearing rate of Rs 20, a welfare board and insurance cover for farmers. CPI's T Ramachandran pointed out that nearly 10 lakh people depended on the sector and that rearing rates had not been revised for five years.
Replying to the debate, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan said Tamil Nadu had around 20,000 broiler farmers, 65 chick production units, and an annual output of about 55 crore birds. "Talks have been held with various poultry farmers' associations. On the Chief Minister's directions, the Animal Husbandry department held discussions with farmers' representatives on January 21," he said, adding that steps would be taken to address their concerns and ensure the State remained a leader in poultry entrepreneurship.
However, the Minister did not give a concrete assurance on revising rearing rates.
The stalemate has tightened supply, pushing up retail prices sharply. Traders say the price of skinned broiler chicken has risen by up to 40% in some markets, from about Rs 260 per kg in December to Rs 360 now. While retailers attribute the spike to the strike, broiler companies blame cold weather affecting chick production. Poultry farmers affiliated to the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Pathukappu Sangam have been on strike since January 1, demanding a revision in rearing rates.