Co-op net to connect co-operatives

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

All Co-operatives will be connected through the 'Co-op net' within one year. Through this it will be easy to find details of all Co-operative societies within seconds, said Co-operative and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando at the Provincial Co-operative Minister's summit at Renuka Hotel yesterday.

He said according to statistics, the egg shortage is purposely created by certain unscrupulous elements.

"Poultry is a profitable business. Poultry farmers spend about Rs 8 to produce an egg without buying food from companies. If they buy food from others the production cost of a egg is about Rs 9. But this profit is not going to the poultry farmers. Some middlemen get this profit. Provincial Councils will encourage Co-operatives to take up poultry farming to prevent market manipulation by middlemen," the Minister said.

As the Co-operative sector has an islandwide network to sell products such as the Co-op city and mini Co-op city, it can easily support consumers by controlling prices, the Minister said.