When survival is a tough egg to crack for farmers

Basheerbagh: Hundreds of layer poultry farmers laid siege to the zonal office of National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) here on Tuesday demanding Minimum Support Price (MSP) for eggs. During the protest, the farmers had argument with the NECC officials.

The farmers alleged the officials of conniving with the egg traders, depriving them of MSP. The farmers said that they are incurring cost of Rs 4 per egg, while they are receiving only Rs 3.90 per egg from the traders. They demanded NECC to increase MSP to Rs 4.50. They also demanded the state government to institute a separate board to prevent traders from exploiting them.

Speaking to media on the occasion, V Abhishek Reddy, a layer farmer, alleged that the Hyderabad zonal chairman of NECC Anuradha Desai has been prejudiced against farmers. He also alleged that the zonal chairman is favouring broiler farmers and showing step-motherly treatment to layer farmers.

He demanded the government to remove her from the post, as her time period has expired. He appealed to the government to intervene in the matter and to ensure that the farmers get MSP. Abhishek Reddy warned the government that the farmers would give call for 'Chalo Assembly' if their issues are not addressed.

The protesting farmers withdrew their protest after the committee member Narayan Reddy had assured that the consultations were being done with the NECC zonal chairman regarding MSP. Anand Reddy, Ranga Reddy, Murali, Krishna, Ajay, Samarasimha Reddy and others were present on the occasion.