Expanding poultry industry
It is heartening to note that around six million people, of whom 40 percent women, are currently employed in the countrys poultry industry directly or indirectly. According to a report of this newspaper on Sunday, the investment in the industry is above Tk 300 billion while it contributed about 2 percent in the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). There are about 65,000 to 70,000 poultry farms across the country.
Expansion of the poultry sector is very important to remove the existing protein deficiency alongside ensuring food security. It is encouraging to note that fish production in Bangladesh has increased substantially during the past few years. Fish meets the requirement for protein in human body. Now the government should give due emphasis to promotion of the poultry sector. As a matter of fact, protein is the vital nutrition for normal growth and development of brain and other essential nourishments of human body. Consumption of eggs has also increased with the population boom in the country.
The country has immense prospects of expanding the poultry sector through the best uses of its existing natural resources. The sector can meet up the nutritional deficit substantially. Substantial and sustainable promotion of the countrys poultry sector through removing its existing problems to cut the nations protein deficiency is the prime need of the hour. The poultry industry is developing gradually reducing import dependency. The industry is playing a vital role in reducing unemployment as well as creating self-employment opportunity.
What is needed is extending logistic supports and motivation of people about the importance of expanding the poultry sector. The vast youth force in the country can be engaged in this sector. It can solve unemployment problem greatly. A family can earn a substantial amount of money by selling eggs and meats from the poultry farms after meeting its demand. The government, particularly the ministry and the department concerned, can provide necessary financial and logistic supports to the people willing to undertake poultry farming and other related jobs. Provision of bank loans on easy terms and conditions and adequate training to the poultry farmers, particularly jobless youths, can give impetus in this regard. The contribution of the poultry sector is immense in terms of meeting the protein deficiency and socio economic development. All concerned should come forward for flourishing the poultry sector. Generation of awareness can also bring the desired results.
