Fake News Costs Indian Poultry Industry Rs 1,750 Crores Amid Coronavirus Scare
Fake news of coronavirus spreading due to chicken or meat has cost Indian poultry breeders Rs 1,750 crores in a month. Even after authorities’ frequent assurances, the Indian consumer looks hesitant to purchase meat or chicken
Fake news of coronavirus spreading due to chicken or meat has cost the Indian poultry sector Rs 1,750 crores in a month.
On March 2, the All India Poultry Breeders Association (AIPBA) demanded a relief package from the Government worth Rs 1,750 crores during a representation to the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, a news agency reported.
At farm gate level, poultry bird prices have come down to Rs 10-30 per kg due to a sudden fall in demand while the average cost of production is Rs 80 per kg, they informed the Ministry. "The repeated onslaught of social media with wrong information on consumers has shaken consumer confidence and depleted the demand for chicken products," AIPBA Chairman Bahadur Ali said. Bahadur added that this will also affect maize and soybean farmers as without poultry there is no maize and soybean market in the country. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Chief Executive Officer GSG Ayyangar busting myths on Thursday said that there is no scientific evidence to show that coronavirus spreads from eating, chicken, mutton and seafood. "There is a misconception that coronavirus will spread through chicken, mutton and seafood. It is scientifically not proven. I am a scientist, I will not buy this argument," Ayyangar said. But even after the authorities’ frequent assurances, the Indian consumer looks hesitant to purchase meat or chicken. Meanwhile, Lucknow authorities have banned the sale of all kinds of meat in open areas as a precautionary measure. The Indian poultry sector employs more than a million farmers and contributes Rs 1.2 lakh crore to the country's GDP.
At farm gate level, poultry bird prices have come down to Rs 10-30 per kg due to a sudden fall in demand while the average cost of production is Rs 80 per kg, they informed the Ministry. "The repeated onslaught of social media with wrong information on consumers has shaken consumer confidence and depleted the demand for chicken products," AIPBA Chairman Bahadur Ali said. Bahadur added that this will also affect maize and soybean farmers as without poultry there is no maize and soybean market in the country. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Chief Executive Officer GSG Ayyangar busting myths on Thursday said that there is no scientific evidence to show that coronavirus spreads from eating, chicken, mutton and seafood. "There is a misconception that coronavirus will spread through chicken, mutton and seafood. It is scientifically not proven. I am a scientist, I will not buy this argument," Ayyangar said. But even after the authorities’ frequent assurances, the Indian consumer looks hesitant to purchase meat or chicken. Meanwhile, Lucknow authorities have banned the sale of all kinds of meat in open areas as a precautionary measure. The Indian poultry sector employs more than a million farmers and contributes Rs 1.2 lakh crore to the country's GDP.
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