Poultry farmers in Sunsari, who suffered heavy losses due to bird flu, have begun efforts to revive their businesses with the relief provided by the government.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Poultry farmers in Sunsari, who suffered significant financial losses due to the outbreak of bird flu, have received relief funds provided by the government.
The Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center Sunsari stated that a total of NPR 209.4 million has been distributed as compensation to the affected farmers in the district.
The bird flu that spread in the local levels of Itahari, Ramdhuni, Barahakshetra, Duhabi, Inaruwa, and other areas of Sunsari during the months of Chaitra and Baisakh had a severe impact on the poultry farming business. According to government data, the district suffered losses amounting to NPR 283,044,700. Of this, the death of chickens alone accounted for losses worth NPR 259,175,750.
Similarly, eggs worth NPR 9,629,800, chicken feed worth NPR 9,146,925, and other materials worth about NPR 2.3 million were destroyed.
According to government provisions, up to 75 percent relief is provided to farmers whose infected chickens and other materials were destroyed under the directive of the Department of Livestock Services, after completing the necessary procedures and submitting required documents. In line with this provision, relief has been distributed to all affected farmers in Sunsari, according to Dr. Manoj Kumar Mahto, head of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center Sunsari.
According to him, the relief distribution has helped affected farmers to some extent in resuming their businesses. However, as the remaining losses have to be borne by the farmers themselves, returning the business fully to its previous state remains a challenge, according to the farmers.
According to the Department of Livestock Services, in the past three months, 754,500 birds, 1,091,303 eggs, and 243,635 kilograms of feed have been destroyed nationwide to control bird flu. According to the department, among the 11 districts where infections were detected, bird flu is now fully under control in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan, and other districts.
With the control of bird flu and completion of relief distribution, poultry farmers in Sunsari are preparing to bring their businesses back on track. However, business owners say that additional investment and restoration of consumer confidence in the market will be necessary to restart the production cycle.
