Karnataka poultry farmers threaten indefinite statewide strike from November 25
Farmers are demanding that integration companies implement the government's interim minimum rearing cost of Rs 10 per kg.
Poultry farmers across Karnataka have threatened to launch an indefinite statewide strike starting November 25. According to the Deccan Herald, the Karnataka State Poultry Farmers Welfare and Development Association and the Akhila Karnataka State Poultry Farmers Welfare and Development Association have called for a 'Vidhana Soudha Chalo' protest, with approximately 5,000 farmers expected to participate.
Yashavantha T, president of the Karnataka State Poultry Farmers Welfare and Development Association, said that integration companies have not implemented the government's order to fix the minimum rearing cost at Rs 10 per kg despite it being issued nearly six months ago.
If the government does not ensure compliance by November 25, farmers will cease taking in new chicks and stop providing grown birds from 5 pm that day. Yashavantha T alleged that companies are using the change in government to avoid following the order and said the government must protect farmers' interests instead of favouring corporate companies.
Association office-bearer Chandrashekhar said that farmers have submitted several representations to the Chief Minister, the Animal Husbandry Minister, and MLAs, but no solution has been found. He stated that the actual cost of rearing a kg of poultry meat is Rs 15 to 16, and even the temporary rate of Rs 10 does not cover expenses such as electricity, medicines, labour, and bank interest.
The associations are also demanding the formation of an expert committee to determine actual rearing costs, the implementation of the Karnataka Poultry (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2022, and the recognition of poultry farming as agriculture under the Land Revenue Act.