The All Island Egg Producers Association (AIEPA) said today that 50% of the workers have begun to leave the industry and as a result, the industry is on the verge of collapse.
AIEPA President Ajith Gunasekara told media that the fertilizer ban and the price ceiling for eggs in August have contributed to the collapse of the industry.
"Due to the reasons mentioned above, the poultry industry's output has dwindled. We are unable to release sufficient eggs to the market, and it will affect the people and lead them towards a protein-deficient society," he said.
"Many investors who invested their money into the poultry industry have lost. "Importing parent birds now costs Rs. 2.5 million."The cost of the animal foods and the necessary medicines have increased to a point where farmers cannot bear it any longer," Gunasekara said with dismay.
As a result, the association requested that the government must intervene and resurge the poultry industry and thereby to prevent the industry from slumping further, it added. (Daily Mirror)