Farmers let chickens die

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Farmers here let thousands of their chickens die of starvation following the fall of poultry and other livestock prices, Antara reported yesterday.

The farmers, associated in a group called Hipapsu (Association of North Sumatra's Meat Chicken Farmers), in a meeting with the provincial legislature accused a large livestock company, PT NUJ, of manipulating prices.

Association chairman Kurniawan said he was worried that the situation could lead to the bankruptcy of small chicken farmers as they might fail to pay back bank credits should the situation persist.

The price of chicken here has dropped in the last six months from Rp 3,000 per kilogram to Rp 1,700 per kilogram.

Legislators and officials promised yesterday to look into the problem. (aan)