Poultry to top Bangladesh’s meat list by 2041

Poultry industry is currently supplying 45-50 per cent of the country’s total demand for animal meat and the industry will play the biggest role in alleviating poverty and combating malnutrition by 2041 if the government supports.

By 2041, the number one meat of Bangladesh will be chicken. At present, the amount of investment in the poultry industry is Tk40,000 crore. In 2041, it will be about Tk70-80 thousand crore and employment will increase from 60 lakh to about 1.30 crore, said Moshiur Rahman, president of World’s Poultry Science Association Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB).

He made the disclosure while speaking at the closing ceremony of the 12th International Poultry Show & Seminar 2023 in the capital on Saturday, says a press release.

“Since 2019, we have been exporting poultry feed. But exports are hampered by several complications. The ministry’s co-operation is needed in this regard,” he added.

Moshiur said that they are getting prepared to export chicken meat but for this, they need a poultry zone, compartmentalisation, dedicated farm, internationally recognised halal board.

He also urged the government to immediately form a poultry board.

Nahid Rashid, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock said, everybody should concentrate on ensuring that the crisis the domestic poultry is going through does not last longer. “We need to work together to determine the reasonable prices of poultry products,” she said.

Md. Mahabub Hassan, General Secretary of WPSA-BB said, this year’s seminar and show were held with three objectives---bringing down production costs by incorporating new knowledge and technology in the poultry industry, producing safe eggs and chicken meat and making the poultry industry sustainable.

He believes that the country will get the result within next year.

He sought government support to ensure at least two boiled eggs a week in school tiffin and allocation of eggs and chicken meat for garment workers.

According to the organisers, 169 businesses from 20 countries have exhibited their technology, products and services at 600 stalls. About 60 thousand visitors visited the fair.

In online, magazine and newspaper content related to poultry, Agrilife24.com won the first prize of “Poultry Media Award-2023”, Agrinews24.com won the second prize and Poultry Khamar Bichitra won the third prize.

Square Agrovet won the Best Stall award, ACI-Siva won the second prize and Kemin won the third prize, according to the press release.