RN Desk: Mosiur Rahman, immediate past president of WPSA-BB, has warned of a major crisis in the country’s poultry sector due to tax shocks. He said that the recent budget-imposed additional taxes, duties, and rising production costs are pushing the poultry industry into a severe crisis. As a result, pressures are mounting across the chain—from farmers to production and marketing. Consequently, the increased production costs may disrupt the availability of animal protein for ordinary people.

He made these remarks as special guest at a discussion program organized by the Department of Livestock Services, Poultry Industries Central Council, and the World Poultry Science Association (Bangladesh Branch) on the occasion of World Egg Day, held at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB), Farmgate, Dhaka, on Friday (October 10).

The event was presided over by Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services. The chief guest was Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, while special guest was Dr. Shakila Faruq, Director General of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute. Research papers were presented by Professor Elias Hossain and Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan Sikder of Bangladesh Agricultural University. The program concluded with remarks from WPSA-BB General Secretary Agriculturist Md. Faizur Rahman.

Mosiur Rahman said:
“Our industry is already in a vulnerable state. With the added tax burden from the budget, many small and medium-scale farmers will not be able to survive. This will impact employment, nutrition supply, and the rural economy.”

He further said:
“We do not want ordinary consumers to be affected in any way. But the reality is that until now, no farmer has been able to sell eggs even one taka above the government-fixed price. Yet propaganda and harassment regarding egg prices continue. The lawsuits filed against us in the Consumer Rights Authority and Competition Commission have not yet been withdrawn, which is breaking the morale of farmers.”

Expressing frustration over the spread of misleading information in the media and social platforms about “fake eggs,” he said:
“The rumor about fake eggs is completely baseless and intentional. I openly challenge—if anyone can bring us a so-called fake egg and prove it is artificial, we will reward them with one lakh taka. Otherwise, in the interest of the country and the industry, I urge everyone to stop spreading such misleading claims.”

He also noted that the government has set targets of producing 16.5 billion poultry by 2030 and 20.8 billion by 2041. Production has indeed increased, but the abnormal rise in the cost of feed, vaccines, electricity, and fuel has prevented farmers from getting fair prices. As a result, the sustainable development of the industry is now facing serious challenges.

Highlighting the significance of the sector, he said the poultry industry is now the backbone of the rural economy, with about 8 million people directly or indirectly involved. The annual economic value of the industry is around Tk 400 billion. Therefore, he urged the government to reconsider its tax policies to ensure the stability and growth of this vital industry.