Receive support from neighbouring states
Margao: Backing poultry farmers and traders from Goa over the issue of sourcing of birds from the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka, traders from these states on Monday decided to oppose the move initiated by a private association in Goa to impose restriction on procurement of birds from the neighbouring states.
At a joint meeting held in Margao, poultry traders from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to intervene in the matter and address their grievances.
The poultry traders said they will submit a fresh memorandum to Sawant apprising him about the present situation.
“We will be meeting the chief minister again in two days. We will raise our concerns and we are hopeful that he will resolve the issue,” said poultry farmer Mario Valadares.
It may be noted that a private association dealing in birds has imposed restrictions on sourcing of birds from the neighbouring states, even requiring a QR code scan for procurement.
Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Traders Association and West Maharashtra Poultry Farmer, Lifter and Traders Association have extended their support to the All Goa Poultry Farmers and Traders Welfare Committee, which has been formed to address the challenges faced by poultry traders in Goa.
Legal advisor and a member of the West Maharashtra Poultry Farmer, Lifter and Traders Association Santosh Malvikar said, “We fully support the cause of the aggrieved poultry farmers. We stand with them. If we allow interference in poultry business today, tomorrow it will happen with vegetables and other businesses. This will not be accepted.”
Stating that the private association is demanding mandatory registration with a fee of Rs 25,000, a poultry trader S Parsekar said the terms and conditions will not be accepted. “We will decide our future course of action depending on CM’s response,” he said.
Parsekar said Goa requires nearly 2 lakh kg of chicken on a daily basis. He said as the local production in insufficient to cater to the demand, traders in the state must depend on the neighbouring states to procure the birds.
“With the Goa government failing to provide financial and other support despite assurances, many Goans have stopped poultry farming. I urge the government to support Goans,” Parsekar said.
