CHICKEN and egg production, which contributes to food security in the Yangon Region, is mainly carried out in Hmawby and Hlegu townships. To ensure self-sufficiency in meat and meet the remaining demand for eggs in the region, poultry farming is being expanded, according to the Yangon Region Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.
As the urban population continues to grow due to urban development, the Yangon Region government has been promoting the livestock sector to ensure adequate food supplies. Livestock breeding zones have been established in Nyaunghnapin, Taikkyi, Twantay and Kawhmu townships. Among them, the Nyaunghnapin Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Zone, located in Hmawby and Hlegu townships, is the main source of chicken and eggs supplied to consumers in Yangon.
In Hmawby Township, where a large number of poultry farms are concentrated, Crystal Diamond’s broiler and layer farms in Chawgon and Phugyi villages employ more than 400 workers. The farms raise more than 200,000 layer chickens and around 700,000 broiler chickens, producing more than 180,000 eggs and over 20,000 viss of chicken meat daily for distribution to consumer markets. Similarly, chicken eggs and meat are produced and distributed daily from 14 townships across the Yangon Region.
“Chicken and eggs are being produced in the Yangon Region in accordance with consumer demand. We have also urged poultry farmers to pay close attention to feeding practices to ensure that their products are safe and healthy for consumption. Farms that produce their own feed have also been encouraged to use locally produced raw materials. Good feed leads to healthy animals, and healthy animals result in better production, ultimately contributing to the health of consumers. Although the Yangon Region is currently self-sufficient in daily chicken meat consumption, there is still a shortage in egg production. Therefore, discussions and measures are underway to expand layer chicken farming,” said Dr Aung Myint Han of the department.
The department is conducting field inspections of poultry farms to ensure that consumers have access to safe and healthy food. Farmers have also been urged to pay special attention to biosecurity measures during the transition from the rainy season to the cold season, when migratory birds may arrive. They have been advised to spray disinfectants around poultry farms at least once a week.
More than 2.9 million layer chickens, over 6.6 million broiler chickens and more than 2.3 million local chickens are currently being raised in the Yangon Region, bringing the total poultry population to more than 11.8 million. Eggs and chicken are being supplied to consumer markets daily. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH