Poultry sector seeks extension of infra development fund scheme by 2 years

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Poultry breeders’ associations sought to extend the animal husbandry infrastructure development fund plan for two years. The scheme ended on March 31, 2023.

All India Broiler Coordinating Committee (PIBCC), along with Karnataka Poultry Breeders and Breeders Association (KPFBA), Maharashtra Poultry Breeders and Breeders Association (PFBA-MH), Telangana Poultry Breeders Association (TPBA), West Bengal Poultry Association ( WBPF), Vencobb Broiler Breeder Breeder Association (CIVBBHA) and Broiler Coordinating Committee, Tamil Nadu (BCC-TN), have written a letter to Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department, Government of India, seeking an extension of the Development Fund Scheme Animal husbandry infrastructure for another two years.

“This scheme will be a boon for poultry farmers if extended further and will surely boost poultry production in India,” said Vasanth Kumar Shetty, Coordinator of PIBCC. He said that while the poultry sector was trying to cope with the challenges posed by Covid in the past 2-3 years, farmers were unable to benefit from the schemes.

Increase support

Sushanth Rai B, President of KPFBA, said the scheme, launched as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package, has been extremely beneficial to farmers by providing incentives for investments in animal husbandry infrastructure, including feed mills, hatcheries and processing plants. The 3 percent interest subsidy provided through the system was a huge boost for farmers.

Al-Rai said that extending the scheme, which ended on March 31, 2023, will help more farmers benefit from setting up infrastructure projects. He said that this initiative will also help meet the growing demand for high-quality animal proteins, which is essential for both farmers and consumers.

President, BCC-Tamil NaduR. “By extending the scheme, the government will help entrepreneurs to set up infrastructure projects that will generate employment opportunities, in addition to increasing economic growth,” said Lakshmanan.

PFBA Maharashtra President Sanjay Nalgirkar expressed concern and said, “The poultry industry has suffered huge losses in the past two years due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, there has been a lack of expansion in this sector during this period.” In addition, Nalgirkar said, “ The government provided subsidies to support the poultry industry, but unfortunately, no one benefited from it. Therefore, he urged the government to extend this scheme for at least another year to encourage more individuals and companies to benefit from this subsidy programme.

Sanjay Bramhankar, President of CIVBBHA, said that the cost of chicken and egg production in India is relatively lower than other producers, which will help in tapping the export market. This is the time when poultry needs infrastructure support.

“We are seeking to extend the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund Facility for at least two years in the public interest of the poultry business in the country,” said G. Ranjith Reddy, Chairman, TPBA.