Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji
Goa meets only about 4 to 5 per cent of its daily chicken requirement through local production, with nearly 95 per cent of the supply coming from outside the state, trade representatives said, pinning hopes on the newly approved poultry policy to help boost domestic output.
Prisco Sequeira, president of the All Goa Shopkeepers’ Association, said the state’s daily demand ranges between 80,000 to 1 lakh birds, depending
on the season.
“Local production is hardly 4 to 5 per cent, forcing traders to depend on supplies from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Delhi,” Sequeira said, adding that the state may not become fully self-sufficient immediately, but a beginning could be made within one to two years, and more farms could come up in four to five years.
He said local farming would ensure better quality, fresher and tastier chicken for consumers in Goa.
“We do not know what medicines are given to the birds, or whether proper withdrawal periods were followed. We only see the final product,” said Sequeira.
There are around 1,500 chicken shops operating across the state, of which nearly 300 are registered under the association. Sequeira said many shopkeepers hesitate to register as they fear additional control and compliance
requirements.
“If the government makes registration compulsory under the new policy, all shops would come under a proper system, leading to better regulation and transparency. Some traders prefer cheaper, lower-quality birds to maintain higher profit margins,” he said.
Jaykrishna Naik, president of the All Goa Poultry Association, said poultry farming in Goa has declined since 2004 and that there is currently no active poultry industry in the state. “There were more than 800 farms earlier, but the number has reduced to around 10 to 15, and even few of these are not active,” he said.
Naik said the new scheme would create business opportunities for local youth and help stabilise chicken prices, ensuring farmers receive a fair and stable rate.
However, one shopkeeper said that while the policy appears positive, setting up farms may be difficult due to limited availability of land. He said poultry farms require large areas and should not be located close to houses due
to foul smell.
He said around 60 to 70 vehicles enter Goa daily from neighbouring states to supply chicken, and traders are operating based on local demand.
