Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The All Meghalaya Poultry Suppliers and Retailers Association has alleged that traders from outside without licenses are engaged in poultry business in the state which is depriving local entrepreneurs of making a livelihood from the business.
Informing on Thursday that there will be a general meeting of the association and others who are interested in poultry business, president of the association, Wanshailang Kharshandi, said that the outsiders took advantage to start poultry business in the state at a time when only few Khasis were engaged in this trade. However, after 2015, many youths have started to take up the venture.
He said, “It is also the fault of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) as it should have kept a tab on the issuance of trading licenses. They have no trading licenses and are mostly from Assam areas of Barpeta, Howly etc and they are only suppliers while there are retailers in Jhalupara, Polo, Laitumkhrah and Nongmynsong.”
Kharshandi added that traders from outside are trying to capture the market by lowering the price of poultry while local producers from Ri Bhoi are left helpless.
He also requested all local hawkers and suppliers who are engaged in poultry business to attend the meeting and register with the association to prevent further entry of outsiders in the trade and to ensure that locals get a livelihood from the business.
The president of the association stated that there is shortage of supply from local farms, which are mostly in Ri Bhoi, which prompted the association to buy poultry from West Bengal. He informed that a flat rate for a live bird is Rs 220 and Rs 320 for dressed chicken (retail price).
“The shortage of supply from local farms has led to the increase in price of poultry as we have to pay to the Assam government and carrying charge as well,” Kharshandi said.
Asked, he said the poultry demand in the state is around 30-40 tons supplied to all prominent markets such as Iewduh, Iew Polo, Happy valley, Nongmynsong and Iew Laitumkhrah.
He said that they shell out not less than Rs 35,000 for transporting poultry to the state from Athiabari in West Bengal.