Concerted efforts to regulate retail prices

In an effort to regulate the retail prices of chicken and expand the sales network in the State, the Palladam - based Broiler Coordination Committee (BCC) plans to rope in women self-help groups (SHGs) to open retail chicken outlets.

In the next three months, the BCC looks at setting up 100 shops in Tirupur, Coimbatore and Pollachi areas, where it feels the retailers sell at abnormal prices.

"According to the plan, the BCC will supply live birds at their doorsteps, besides sponsoring basic infrastructure. The SHGs will have to scout for places," K Kannan, secretary of BCC, told Business Standard.

The SHGs should arrange for a piece of land or building to set up shops. They should also undergo a training programme conducted by Veterinary Department on hygienic process.

According to sources, though the retailers get a broiler chicken at less than Rs 20 a kg, they sell it as dressed chicken at Rs 50 to Rs 60.

When the broiler is sold at Rs 15 a kg at farm gate price, the BCC advises the retailers to sell it at Rs 36, including a margin of Rs 5 a kg, after all other expenses.

"But most of the retailers sell it at a very high price taking a profit margin of more than Rs 15. Selling it at a price higher than the fixed or recommended price hampers the sales," Kannan added.

The BCC also has plans to extend the project throughout the State, once the experiment in Coimbatore district is proven succesful.