The National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC) has estimated the loss caused by cyclone Hudhud to layer poultry industry in the north-coastal AP districts at ₹100 crore and the NECC has sought support for revival of the segment.

NECC National Executive member Bh Rama Rao said here on Thursday that the severe damage to the layer poultry farms would impact agriculture as well as supply of nutritious food supplements to school children.

Of the 16.86 lakh layer birds that perished in the cyclone, nearly 14 lakh were from Visakhapatnam district, he said. Thousands were rendered jobless. The damage to the industry would impact agriculture as consumption of maize, soya, ragi and broken rice as poultry feed and de-oiled rice bran and oilcake would be hit.

"Since it costs ₹600 to raise a bird, for each bird lost ₹150 should be paid as insurance. Banks and financial institutions should declare a moratorium for one year and reduce interest rate to 5 per cent next year. Capital loans and term loans should be extended to the industry," he demanded.

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