Heatwave Causes 300 Crore Taka Loss in Poultry Sector, 70,000 Farmers at Risk

A month-long intense heatwave has caused a loss of approximately 300 crore taka in the country's poultry sector, according to the Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA). As a result, 70,000 to 80,000 small-scale poultry farmers are facing severe financial distress, and many are being forced to shut down their farms.

In a press release issued on Friday, BPA President Mohammad Suman Howlader stated that due to the heatwave, power outages, and market instability, thousands of chickens are dying every day across the country.

According to BPA's data, poultry farms in nearly every district, including Narsingdi, Mymensingh, Tangail, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Cox’s Bazar, Comilla, Gazipur, Kishoreganj, Savar, Feni, and others, are facing a crisis. On average, 5 to 10 percent of chickens are dying at each farm, with broiler and sonali chickens having a death rate of 10 percent and layer (egg-laying) chickens having a death rate of 5 percent.

The press release further mentions that the country has around 60,000 to 70,000 poultry farms, and if the average loss per farm is 50,000 taka, the total loss amounts to 300 crore taka.

Reduced Production in the Coming Months

As a result, BPA has expressed concern that egg production may decrease by 5 percent and meat production by 10-15 percent in the coming months, which poses a direct threat to food security.

Government Focus on Corporates, Neglect of Small Farmers

BPA also criticized the government's focus on corporate poultry companies, which produce only 20 percent of the country's eggs and poultry, while 80 percent of production comes from small-scale farmers who are being neglected.

The association stated, “While the government is paying attention to corporate companies, it is not taking adequate steps to support small farmers. This inaction is deeply disappointing.”

Threat to Employment and Livelihoods

BPA warned that if the situation persists, 70,000 to 80,000 farmers may fall into a deep debt trap and be forced to shut down their farms, putting at risk the livelihoods of approximately 5 to 6 million people who are employed in the poultry sector.

The organization has called for the government to urgently:

• Provide financial assistance to small-scale farmers
• Ensure market transparency and regulation
• Take action to control corporate monopolies in the sector

In the press release, a question was raised: "Will the government take action only when the existence of small farmers is destroyed?"