Dhaka, Sept. 24 -- Despite record harvests of maize and a glut of soybean cake in storage, the cost of animal and poultry feed remains stubbornly high, leaving small farmers struggling and consumers paying more for protein-rich foods.

Maize and soybean cake prices have fallen to their lowest levels in five years, yet feed millers are accused of keeping retail feed prices artificially inflated.

Industry groups and economists warn that this disconnect between raw material costs and feed prices is squeezing farmers' profit margins, forcing many to abandon livestock and poultry farming.

With over 450 million heads of livestock and poultry depending on feed, the issue has significant implications not only for farmers but also for food infla...