KOCHI:
Kerala Feeds Limited (KFL), the government-owned livestock feed producer, is all set to market its nutrient-rich layer feed for chicken raised by households and farms at affordable prices.
The layer feed, made of wholesome ingredients, is meant for consumption by various country breeds of chicken, other than broiler chicken that is bred and raised specifically for meat production. The feed, being unveiled as part of product diversification of KFL, will hit the market by mid-December. It will address the long-felt absence of chicken feed in the market for country breeds, which is a critical component in stepping up the domestic egg production.
The product from KFL, which processes and markets high quality feed for cattle and other livestock breeds at affordable prices, will be a boon for household raisers, who rear indigenous breeds of chicken in open surroundings.
“The launch of the product meets our firm commitment to back the state government’s policy of supporting over a million dairy farmers and household chicken raisers in Kerala,” KFL Chairman K S Indusekharan Nair said.
A public sector enterprise like KFL cannot operate purely on profit motive, ignoring people’s interests and social commitments, he pointed out. Dr B Sreekumar, MD, KFL, said, “We will be marketing the best quality poultry feed, which would be made available to farmers at an affordable price. Like our other products, we are confident of maintaining high quality for this one as well.”
A wide range of KFL products are already available in all parts of the state despite shortage of raw materials and their high prices. Almost 99 per cent of raw materials needed for feed production is sourced from other states, he added.
Steep rise in demand for raw material for fodder in north Indian states has also posed some problems to KFL, Dr. Sreekumar said, adding that the company’s new plant at Thodupuzha would be commissioned shortly to increase KFL’s total production.
KFL has accumulated a loss of Rs 123 crore from 2011 till date. As per the figures for the period up to September this year, the loss suffered by KFL by supporting the Government’s Special Livestock Breeding Programme (SLBP) stood at Rs 34.48 crore. Subsidising feed supplied to milk co-operative societies has resulted in a loss to the tune of Rs 45.17 crore.
Added to these, the company has incurred a loss of Rs 43.96 crore by way of supporting the state government’s commitment to ensure steady supply of fodder at reduced price to sustain the dairy sector, which is the mainstay of nearly one million households, Indusekharan Nair pointed out.
Referring to the company’s economic profile, Dr Sreekumar said KFL is not dependent on any regular budgetary support from the government. Except for the initial capital, the company has not received any recurring financial aid, revenue grant or subsidy from the government. Still, the company is not burdened by any heavy liability due to purchase of raw material. Its only outstanding is the routine credit required to maintain business, he said.
The company has five manufacturing units in the state. The workers are recruited from the Employment Exchange. Some posts in Kozhikode unit are yet to be filled, though the government has given approval for that. Steps to fill these vacant positions will be taken without delay, he added.
