Odisha celebrates World Egg Day 2025, focusing on nutrition, egg production, and sustainable poultry initiatives under government schemes
Kapilas Bhuyan
As per Viena conference by the International Egg Commission (IEC) held in 1996, the second Friday in October every year is celebrated as the World Egg Day. The thematic tagline on the occasion changes every year, and this year’s theme is “The Mighty Egg: Packed with Natural Nutrition”. This is intended to celebrating the egg’s nutritional power, affordability, and versatility in a globally nourishing diet.
In order to rise up to the occasion, in India as well as in Odisha both Central Govt. and State Govt. have come up with special benefit schemes to help increasing the egg productions in the coming days. It includes support up to one crore rupees to establish layer farm under Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana, up to Rs. 19,74,000/- to establish 1,000-to-4,000-layer bird farm, cent percent support to 40,000 beneficiaries to raise layer birds in the courtyard of the house and maximum up to Rs. 2,64,000 to raise ducks, etc.
As per the claims of the Odisha Govt. the current egg production is more than one crore per day, but our consumption requirement estimated in 2023-24 is 138 crores, and thereby a shortfall of about 37 crores annually. So, we are now trying to bridge the gap by importing about 1.5 million eggs everyday from other states like Andhra Pradesh. On the other hand, whereas per capita availability in Odisha is 80 eggs per person per annum, the recommended number by ICMR is 180 eggs annually. Thus, there is a huge short supply of eggs leading to possible malnutrition, particularly among the youngsters of the poor and backward classes in the state.
An egg is considered as an ideal nutrition supplement as it contains maximum calories and ideal amount of protein and fat in a naturally packed cell. Besides, it also contains vitamins A, D, E, B2 and B12 and minerals like iron, calcium, copper, phosphorous, selenium and zinc, etc. There is no fear of egg getting contaminated in any ways, and it contains valuable nutrition supplements in ideal manner.
Providing eggs to children through mid-day meal is a good succor for nutrition supplement to the young generation, however, the distribution ways, more often than not, come under question in the remote areas of the state. Besides, there is also a huge imbalance in affordability and availing it between urban and rural areas.
Moreover, raising layered birds at home turf or in farms also provides employment and generates good income for the families. The SHGs should also be encouraged to increase egg productions in order to bridge the gap between need and supply line.
Participation in global celebration of the World Egg Day is wonderful, but coming up with well thought out plans and their successful implementation is the call of the time. Let all of us give our attention how to avail each of us an egg a day to live a life with happiness and robust way.
(The writer is a senior journalist and National Award-winning Filmmaker. Views are personal.)