“We have already initiated a series of measures to narrow the gap between demand and supply. Private players should avail of the opportunity and the prevailing industrial climate as their role would be crucial in attaining the goal,” said Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Secretary C J Venugopal.

He was interacting with the layer farmers (read poultry) and potential investors at an investment meet on ‘Prospects of the layer farming in Orissa’ here on Wednesday.

The State has conducive climate for layer farming and the benefits accrued here can also be shared with the neighbouring States, he said at the meet organised by the All Orissa Layer Farmers’ Association. Notably, poultry has been identified as a priority sector of lending by financial institutions.

At present, egg production in the State stands at around 33 lakh a day as against the demand of 64 lakh. Introduction of eggs in mid-day meal scheme has further added pressure on the supply front, with the shortfall going up to as much as four lakh eggs per day.

Venugopal said, backyard poultry farming would be taken up in a big way and two hatcheries with capacity to generate 160 lakh chicks per annum would be set up in each district. Besides, the cap of two layer farmers in each district would be removed. The Government would also establish district diagnostic laboratories to facilitate veterinary health care, he stated.

Incidentally, Orissa is the only State in the country to include poultry farming under the ambit of agriculture.