“The poultry meat production is estimated to be 3 million metric tonne. At present the poultry products export is around Rs 768 crore in 2015-16. As poultry production increases, income of farmers would also see a rise,” Singh said while addressing scientists at 28th annual meeting of Poultry Federation of India at Hyderabad on Friday.
Spelling out the problems associated with this industry, he said, “Among several other issues, the main problem is spread of avian influenza, which is a serious impediment to the development of this industry. Despite this, timely intervention by government and efforts of private sector has enabled development in this sector.”
He stated that poultry production is not only an important source of subsidiary income generation for many landless and marginal farmers but also provides nutritional security to the rural poor. However, compared to the organized sector, this backyard unorganized sector needs efforts at different levels to grow, the minister said.