Question : Loans for Poultry Farmers

(a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that the poultry business is becoming a strain because of increasing cost of feed, spread of many diseases among chickens, drinking water problems, etc.;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Union Government has any proposal or has received any proposal/demand especially from poultry owners associations from Tamil Nadu to sanction loans to poultry industry on the lines of agricultural loan with 0% minimum interest;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken on this proposal;
(e) if not, the reasons therefor and whether such as proposal would be considered in future to grant loans to them; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(DR SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) to (b) The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been receiving representations from the Poultry Industry Associations intimating the shortage of maize thus the poultry industry is facing difficulties in making poultry feed available. They have also requested to allocate wheat, rice and other source of protein and energy to the poultry farmers. On receipt of the request, the Department has forwarded the same to the nodal Ministry for necessary action in this regard. The Government has also allowed import of four lakh metric tons of dent maize under Tariff Rate Quota @ of 15% Customs duty. The Food Corporation of India also started issuing limited tender for disposal of Non-issuable foodgrains which can also be procured for poultry feeding.
(c) to (d) Presently, there is no loan facilities available even for agriculture sector at 0% interest. No proposal has yet been received from the Poultry Industry. However, the poultry industry requested to give moratorium for repayment of loan available for poultry farming.
(e) to (f) Reasons for non receipt of such proposal is not available with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Any such proposal, if received will be considered as per the extant policy of the Government at that point of time.

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