COIMBATORE: Poultry farmers on Thursday commenced a strike by halting production, demanding that broiler units revise the rearing rate of chicken in the State.
The farmers affiliated with Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Padhukappu Sangam launched an indefinite production halt, demanding an increase in rearing charges from Rs 6.50 per kg to Rs 20 per kg. Besides increasing the rearing charge, the farmers also demanded Rs 25 per kg for country chicken, Rs 7 per quail, free electricity for poultry farms and the formation of separate welfare boards for farmers. They also sought an annual revision of rearing charges through tripartite talks involving the state government, poultry farms and farmers' associations.
The procurement price of broiler chicken, fixed daily by the Palladam Broiler Coordination Committee, has increased over the last few days from Rs 120 per kg on December 20 to Rs 130 per kg. In the current scenario, poultry farms incur production costs of Rs 100 to Rs 105 per kg to raise broiler chickens due to increases in feed, labour, electricity, and other maintenance costs.
As these demands to meet rising expenses remain unmet, farmers have begun halting production, increasing the risk of higher chicken prices. Currently, retail chicken meat prices range from Rs 260 to Rs 280 per kg. Stakeholders in the poultry industry have urged the government to initiate immediate talks and take amicable steps to resolve the issue.
Over 20,000 broiler farms, spread across Palladam in Tirupur, Sultanpet and Pollachi in Coimbatore, Erode, Dindigul, and Namakkal districts, produce about ten lakh broiler chickens daily. They cater to the demand of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states of Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry.