PUNE: Sakal Times in a three-part series ‘Poultry in Peril’ had reported that poultry farmers have demanded import of maize by the government due to less inventory produced in year June 2018-May 2019.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has finally approved the import of four lakh metric tonne (MT) of feed-grade maize on July 9. However, the poultry industry says this will not be enough for the poultry consumption. They will approach the government to seek permission for additional imports.
Sham Bhagat, Chairman, National Eggs Co-ordination Committee (NECC), said, “The government has granted permission for maize import. Organisations such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.(NAFED) or Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC) will take this ahead. However, the amount of approved maize import will not be able to fulfil the industry’s needs.”
“The monthly all India consumption of maize in the poultry industry is 12 lakh MT. Only 4 lakh MT import has been approved, which is only 10-day consumption for the industry. However, we feel that something is better than nothing. Meanwhile, we will approach the government again to give permission for additional inputs,” said Bhagat
Deepak Chavan, agriculture market expert, said, “Our yearly consumption of maize is 220 lakh MT, which includes 150 lakh MT for poultry, 50 lakh MT for starch industry and 20 lakh MT for household consumption. In year June 2018-May 2019, the total production was 180 lakh MT. Hence, we are in 40 lakh MT deficit while the only 4 lakh MT import is allowed, which is nothing.” “The import is too less and will not be substantial for the industry to sustain till the new crop arrives in November this year. However, we are already unsure of the Kharif production of maize due to infestation of Fall Army Worm (FAW). The government should allow more import or the crises of poultry industry will not be solved,” added Chavan.
