Hyderabad, Feb 29 At least three Telangana ministers joined people in eating chicken and egg at a mela organized here by the poultry industry to allay the apprehensions that consuming chicken and egg may lead to coronavirus.
With the poultry business taking a hit due to rumours over social media linking eating of chicken and egg to COVID-19.
The poultry industry organized the mela at People's Plaza on Necklace Road in the heart of the city. Hundreds relished the chicken and egg dishes served free by the organizers.
Minister for industry, information technology and municipal administration K.T. Rama Rao joined Minister for Health E. Rajender, Minister for Excise Srinivas Goud and Member of Parliament Ranjit Reddy to taste the delicacies. They tried to convey the message that eating chicken and egg are safe.
"Coronavirus and chicken are nowhere connected. Me and my members are eating chicken and eggs every day," said K.T. Rama Rao.
The event was organised by National Egg Coordination Committee, Telangana Poultry Breeders Association and Telangana Poultry Federation along with leading poultry breeders to clear the myths.
The organizers of the mela said due to rumours over the social media, many people are scared avoiding consumption of chicken and egg. According to them, the chicken consumption has come down by 30 per cent.
The farmers and poultry industry are suffering huge losses as the chicken prices declined steeply from Rs 80 a kg (live) to Rs 40 a kg. The breeders pointed out that the production cost itself is Rs 75 a kg.
Various players in the poultry industry are organizing such events across the state to clear the myths and to create public awareness. People are being told that COVID-19 that broke out in China and spread to various parts of the world would not affect the birds.
( With inputs from IANS )