Poultry production in the country has shown a steady increase in the last one decade. As a result, there has been a sharp rise in the availability of eggs and broilers. The country produced 800 million broilers in 2002 as compared to 350 million in 1995. The production of poultry meat in 2002 was 975 thousand tons as compared to 578 thousand tons in 1995. Likewise, the output of eggs was 35 thousand million in 2002 as compared to 27275 million in 1995.
Poultry meat is largely processed in the unorganised sector. However, with the large increase in broiler production, a number of poultry processing plants have been set up in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries provides financial assistance for setting up, modernisation and expansion of poultry and meat processing units @ 25% and 33.33% of the cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works respectively subject to a maximum of Rs.50 lakh in general areas and Rs.75 lakh in difficult areas.
Financial aid is also provided for modernisation of abattoir to promote hygienic slaughter and better product utilization.
(Release ID :4430)