The poultry industry has urged the government to grant approval for the import of genetically modified (GM) maize as a measure to ease the growing pressure on feed costs and supply shortages. Industry stakeholders say that the rising prices of locally available maize—primarily due to limited domestic production and increased demand—have created a challenging environment for poultry farmers.
According to poultry associations, feed constitutes nearly 70% of total production costs, and maize remains a crucial ingredient for balanced poultry nutrition. With supply constraints tightening further, they argue that importing GM maize could provide an immediate and cost-effective solution to stabilize the market.
Industry representatives also emphasize that many countries already permit the use of GM maize in animal feed, reaffirming its safety and effectiveness. They believe government approval would help protect farmers’ profitability, ensure stable poultry prices for consumers, and prevent potential shortages in the coming months. The government is expected to review the proposal, taking into consideration both economic and regulatory implications before making a final decision.
