The government and the Department of Animal Production and Health must directly take responsibility for the rising price of eggs in the current market, All Island Egg Producers’ Association Chairman Sarath Ratnayake states.
Ratnayake made these remarks whilst participating in a press conference held to announce the revised egg prices.
Maize imports, which constitute a vital factor in the egg production sector, remain completely halted at present, the Chairman pointed out, noting that local maize production also falls short of the industry's requirements. Although the government advised using rice as a substitute for maize, this option proves impractical, and such alternatives exert a severe impact on animal health, he added.
"The use of substitutes like rice causes constant abdominal infections in the animals. Due to this, total egg production declined by 20 to 30 percent.
Farmers face extreme difficulties under these circumstances.
Certain unscrupulous traders in the market sell animal feed, chemicals, and medicines mixed with substances like dolomite, causing a large number of animals to die.
The massive drop in daily egg production stems from the loss of quality in animal feed, which represents an unbearable loss for farmers.
Although the department knew all these facts well, they formulated no programme to find solutions.
Officials cannot save the industry by making statements like 'use rice instead of maize' without discussion. An urgent meeting is requested with the President, the Agriculture Minister, the Deputy Agriculture Minister, and the Trade Minister to discuss this matter. The current crisis worsened further because the existing problems and relevant data did not reach the political leadership properly.
Eggs represent the only protein-rich food available at a minimum price to eradicate malnutrition in the country. Deep consideration focused on both the producer and the consumer when determining these prices.
The issue that would arise if no consumer existed to purchase the produced eggs is well understood. Although a higher price should reflect the current costs, steps were taken to decide a fair price so that consumers can purchase them easily."
Ratnayake made these remarks whilst participating in a press conference held to announce the revised egg prices.
Maize imports, which constitute a vital factor in the egg production sector, remain completely halted at present, the Chairman pointed out, noting that local maize production also falls short of the industry's requirements. Although the government advised using rice as a substitute for maize, this option proves impractical, and such alternatives exert a severe impact on animal health, he added.
"The use of substitutes like rice causes constant abdominal infections in the animals. Due to this, total egg production declined by 20 to 30 percent.
Farmers face extreme difficulties under these circumstances.
Certain unscrupulous traders in the market sell animal feed, chemicals, and medicines mixed with substances like dolomite, causing a large number of animals to die.
The massive drop in daily egg production stems from the loss of quality in animal feed, which represents an unbearable loss for farmers.
Although the department knew all these facts well, they formulated no programme to find solutions.
Officials cannot save the industry by making statements like 'use rice instead of maize' without discussion. An urgent meeting is requested with the President, the Agriculture Minister, the Deputy Agriculture Minister, and the Trade Minister to discuss this matter. The current crisis worsened further because the existing problems and relevant data did not reach the political leadership properly.
Eggs represent the only protein-rich food available at a minimum price to eradicate malnutrition in the country. Deep consideration focused on both the producer and the consumer when determining these prices.
The issue that would arise if no consumer existed to purchase the produced eggs is well understood. Although a higher price should reflect the current costs, steps were taken to decide a fair price so that consumers can purchase them easily."
