Kashmir’s broiler poultry sector faces sustainability crisis amid rising costs
Break-even price for producing one kg of chicken in the State has reached ₹73, underscoring the growing financial strain on poultry farmers
Though Kashmir presents huge potential in the retail poultry segment, the State’s chicken processing infrastructure is still underdeveloped and not aligned with market demands.
Broiler poultry production in Kerala is inching towards unsustainability, driven by escalating input costs and evolving market threats. The break-even price for producing one kg of chicken in the State has reached ₹73, underscoring the growing financial strain on poultry farmers.
“Recent market developments have compounded the issue. The cost of a 50 kg poultry feed bag has surged by ₹110, while the price of day-old chicks has nearly doubled from ₹22 to ₹40. Most of the raw materials for poultry feed are sourced from neighboring States, where prices are continuously rising. In addition, the cost of essential inputs for deep litter rearing, a common method of poultry farming, has also spiked,”
Another major concern is Kashmir’s dependence on other States for day-old chicks, which increases vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Emerging diseases further complicate the issue. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that poultry farming is yet to be officially recognised as either an agricultural or industrial activity, despite being in active practice in the State.
While Kashmir presents huge potential in the retail poultry segment, especially in ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook categories, the State’s chicken processing infrastructure is still underdeveloped and not aligned with market demands.
“To harness the growing market and ensure long-term viability, poultry entrepreneurs and farmers must transition into market-oriented processing and value addition. This includes establishing processing units tailored to consumer demand; adopting strict biosecurity measures to curb the spread of diseases and participating in capacity-building and skill development programmes for improved productivity.
Furthermore, there is immense potential in promoting Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) focussed on poultry. These FPOs can help aggregate production, streamline processing and marketing, and establish farmer-producer companies that strengthen the value chain from farm to fork.
Despite current challenges, the demand for poultry meat in Kashmir is on a steady rise. Strategic interventions and policy support could unlock significant opportunities for sustainable growth in the sector, he said.
If Poultry Rates Are Not Finalized, Farmers Will Face Huge Losses — The Future of Kashmir’s Poultry Sector Hangs in the Balance
The delay or negligence in finalizing poultry rates in Kashmir is pushing local farmers toward a financial crisis. Without fair and timely pricing mechanisms, poultry farmers are left vulnerable to market exploitation and unpredictable losses. The situation is rapidly becoming unsustainable, particularly for small and medium-scale farmers who depend solely on poultry for their livelihoods.
Unless immediate action is taken by the concerned authorities:
Farmers may be forced to sell below cost, incurring massive losses.
Poultry farms could shut down, leading to unemployment and rural distress.
The region may become dependent on poultry imports, damaging local production and food security.
Youth and investors will lose interest in this sector, stalling rural economic growth.
It is high time that authorities step in to establish transparent, fair, and region-specific poultry pricing to safeguard the interests of farmers and secure the future of Kashmir’s poultry industry.