A discussion was held at the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday (12) afternoon regarding the possibility of providing chicken meat to consumers without shortage during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year festival season.

The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, the main suppliers and producers currently engaged in the poultry industry, as well as officials from the Department of Animal Production and Health and officials from the National Livestock Development Board also participated in this discussion.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, who expressed his opinion, asked the industrialists about the current situation related to poultry meat production in the country.

Accordingly, the industrialists said that at present there are chickens at the maximum level in all poultry farms, and there is no possibility of any shortage of chicken meat in the country not only during the festive season but also after that.

Also, considering the cost of producing one kilogram of chicken meat, the poultry producers said that they expect to supply meat at 1150 rupees per kilogram, and that these prices are expected to decrease further in the near future.

They further stated that there will be no shortage of chicken meat in the country and promised to take steps to supply enough chicken meat to the market.

The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, who expressed his opinion, said that the public is very concerned about the price of chicken meat and eggs, so they should pay attention to the supply of chicken meat at a minimum price to protect the industrialist, the consumer as well as the retailer.

The minister also said that the government even gave licenses to the poultry and egg producers to import maize for the production of animal feed with the purpose of providing concessions.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)