Homogeneous policy supports throughout the agriculture sector, instead of providing advantages to just growing crops, can substantially bring down the egg and meat prices for end-consumers said, entrepreneurs.
Animal farming and fishing should be provided similar advantages, demanded members of a Standing Committee on Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in its first meeting.
For instance, poultry, cattle, fish and shrimp farms have to pay electricity bills at a rate higher than that paid by crop growers, they said.
If the rate was the same for all, the former could reduce production and operating costs, making it possible to meet the need for protein at affordable prices, they added.
The government should provide utilities at a special rate to livestock farms, said FBCCI President Jashim Uddin.
To become a developed country by 2041, Bangladesh needs to reach exports to $300 billion, which may appear tough solely relying on garments, he said.
Here the government should provide appropriate support for increasing fish, shrimp and meat exports, he said.
On the recent price instability of eggs in the market, he blamed a few unscrupulous traders, urging that they be identified to protect the sector’s image.
Uddin also advised the committee to work on logistics and supply chains to ensure fair prices for marginal farmers.
Prior, Salahuddin Alamgir, director-in-charge of the FBCCI standing committee and vice-president of the FBCCI, said banks should allot 5pc of their loan disbursements targeting the livestock sector, just as they do for crop growers.
He also demanded to fix the per dollar exchange rate at Tk 100 specifically for the import of livestock and recommended introducing insurance policies of low premiums to protect farmers.
