Basil says SL will be self-sufficient in eggs by 2014
Thursday, 7 November 2013 00:13
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The ‘Divi Neguma’ national program to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in chicken eggs by 2014 is now nearing success and the Government will take steps to stop chicken egg imports by the end of next year.
Under ‘Divi Neguma’ 330 million eggs are added every year to the diet of the people since doctors have recommended that a person needs to consume a minimum of three eggs a week.
These facts were revealed at a recent meeting held at the Economic Development Ministry presided over by Minister Basil Rajapaksa to discuss the ‘Divi Neguma’ Livestock Program 2013.
Under ‘Divi Neguma’ each poultry farmer is given 10 one-month-old chickens. By now 1.1 million chickens has been distributed among farmers. Following the commencement of Divi Neguma Phase Five on 11 October steps have been taken to distribute 600,000 more chickens among Divi Neguma beneficiaries at a cost of Rs. 300 million.
Accordingly, the Divi Neguma National Program to distribute chickens under livestock resources has contributed nearly Rs. 4,329 million to the national economy. This project is most successful in the Nuwara Eliya and Kurunegala Districts where there is a great demand for it.
Veterinary surgeons provide farmers with free technical advice required for this ‘Divi Neguma’ project. Mobile Livestock Services also provide necessary advice at electorate level. Thousands more people have taken to poultry farming and they are already being briefed on identifying market issues and giving relief to consumers.
