, April 19 -- Poultry farmers in Bangladesh are currently incurring losses of at least Tk 2 on each egg sold due to falling market prices, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said on Sunday.

"We must prioritise marginal farmers. If small-scale producers are affected, the entire sector will be at risk," he said at a stakeholder dialogue with poultry trade bodies held at a city hotel.

He said the small-scale producers-the backbone of the sector-could face collapse if the situation is not addressed urgently.

The state minister said large businesses also have a responsibility to support smaller operators who are under pressure from selling below production cost while facing reduced access to credit for purchasi...