Daijiworld Media Network- Margao
Margao, Jan 28: The All Goa poultry farmers and trader’s welfare committee has strongly opposed any attempt to monopolise the poultry industry in the state, warning that such moves could harm local farmers and traders.
In a show of unity, poultry farmers and traders from across Goa gathered at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on Monday to raise concerns over alleged efforts to harass them and pave the way for corporate control over the poultry trade.
The meeting passed a resolution urging the government to ensure timely disbursal of subsidies to support poultry farmers in reviving their farms and increasing production. The farmers stressed that poultry imports from outside Goa should continue until local production is sufficient to meet demand.
A major point of contention was the insistence by a newly formed traders’ group that all poultry farmers and traders register with them using a QR code. Farmers questioned why they should comply with this private entity when they are already paying a one per cent cess to the government.
Mario Valladares, a prominent poultry trader, said the industry was being threatened by vested interests. "We have approached Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with our grievances and will meet him again. We are confident he will protect Goan poultry farmers and traders from these individuals who seek to take over our industry," he said.
He further questioned why private individuals should control the poultry trade when government departments such as Health, Animal Husbandry, and Waste Management already regulate it.
Another poultry farmer and trader warned that local businesses were being reduced to mere transporters, with a small group attempting to monopolise the industry.
Poultry farmer Sadanand Parsekar accused the recently formed group of trying to force all farmers and traders to operate through their organisation.
Lawrence Fernandes, another poultry farmer, highlighted the years of hard work put in by local farmers and traders to sustain the industry. He called for unity and urged the poultry community to resist any illegal attempts to monopolise the trade.
Goa’s poultry farmers remain firm in their resolve to protect their livelihoods and prevent corporate interference in the trade.