Poultry farmers withdraw shutdown movement

The Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) has withdrawn its indefinite business shutdown movement, which was set to start on May 1.

The decision came on Monday after the government assured the farmers of taking steps to regulate markets and meet their demands.

BPA President Sumon Hawlader said the government efforts have assured marginal farmers that they can sustain their production activities.

They have, however, threatened to re-announce the movement, if the government promises remain unmet.

Earlier on April 17, BPA announced to close egg and chicken farms across the country from May 1. 

The association announced this through a statement sent to media houses.  

In the statement, BPA President Md. Sumon Howlader alleged that the poultry industry has suffered huge losses during the Eid season due to the control of syndicates. The losses in the egg and chicken sector in two months reached Tk 1,260 crore. 

During the Ramadan and Eid, marginal farmers produced two lakh kgs of chicken every day. The farmers lost Tk 30 per kg and about 900 crore taka in a month, he said. 

On the other hand, this season, marginal farmers produced 3 crore eggs. At a loss of 2 taka per egg, they lost 360 crore taka in two months.  

In such a situation, there is a cry among marginal egg and chicken farmers across the country, but the government is playing a silent role, the BPA president alleged. 

The statement has also placed a 10-point demand.