On behalf of the Livestock Farmers and Poultry Industry, Poultry Breeders Association, citing the Soybean price escalation in India and its Impact on the Poultry sector, has plead Government of India to allow duty free import of 12 lakh metric tons of Soya bean meal by the feed millers in India to safe guard the livestock farmers until September 2021.

In Indian soybean prices have moved more than 100% in the last year. From Rs 36,420 per ton to over Rs 81,000 per ton. Whereas the prices in the international market are just half of the Indian soybean and soymeal prices.

It means that the cost of production for the small poultry farmer has gone up by Rs 45 per kg.

Unless quick decisions are not taken in this regard, the livestock sectors and livestock farmers will suffer another massive financial loss, soon after huge losses suffered during the first wave of Covid-19 and subsequent lockdowns.

“The livestock sector, mainly poultry, is going through the worst crisis in the recorded history of independent India.

In this regard,” said Bahadur Ali, Chairman, Poultry Breeders Association.

“The unsustainable price escalation is killing small farmers due to reduced demand and very high risk. Most of the farmers are not placing new chicks in the farms.

The major negative impact will be on maize and soybean prices in the coming harvesting season for maize and soybean farmers.

An equilibrium in price and demand growth is essential to ensure the welfare of all,” he added. As the government has granted issue to allow duty free import of 12 lakh metric ton of Soya Meal to provide a major relief to poultry farmers, also requesting to regulate the soyabean commodity trade on commodity exchanges which may end speculations driven surge of soya seeds.