Poultry shortage hits State
Source: The Sangai Express

Kanggui, June 25 2013: Chicken meat lovers will have to abandon their favourite dish for some time atleast as three chicken centres at Kangpokpi downed shutters due to unavailability of poultry chicken, which also stands to drastically affect livelihood of some individuals who depend on the trade to sustain their livelihood.

Shortage of chicken meat too has hit Imphal, with many chicken stores downing shutters in the last few days.

A number of popular eating joints too have had to shut down in Imphal.

One of the poultry sellers at Kangpokpi said that the market of poultry at Kangpokpi has gone without chicken for the past one month due to shortage of poultry thereby severely affecting the entire poultry business and the general public.

Speaking to this correspondent, Sangai Chicken Centre, IT Road, Kangpokpi proprietor Deben said that a total of more than 400 Kgs of chicken meat (dressed) and around 300 Kgs (live) used to be sold every day by the three chicken centres in the past but presently there is not a single chicken for sale consequently causing immense loss and affecting those dependent on the trade.

"We have been supplying to all hotels in and around Kangpokpi and to our customers on daily basis besdies supplying to boarding schools, churches, etc on weekly basis.

Now it has been total stopped, Deben said sadly.

All the three chicken centres used to be supplied by Avian House, Khonghampat Imphal West but ever since the supply ceased there is complete shortage of chicken at Kangpokpi.

Deben further narrated that unavailability of poultry is mainly due the poultry farms based outside the state, which control the local market and hikes price of chicken as per their wish without considering the outcome.

Escalation in prices of poultry feeds is also a contributing factor for the shortage of chicken, the trader expressed.

Sharing severe hardships faced by the chicken dealers at Kangpokpi, Deben conceded that if the situation do not improve at the earliest the poultry traders would certainly suffer serious livelihood problem.

Suggesting effective policy to streamline the poultry trade and ensure that the traders continue to earn their livelihood, he lamented that due to complete cessation of the trade serious question has arised on how to clear house rent and tuition fees for their school going children.

Considering the shortage of poultry chicken in the entire state as well as the immense hardships faced by the poultry business and the general public, Deben also pointed out that poultry meats imported from outside state are not only illegal but needs to be constantly monitored to avoid health hazards.

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