Poultry farmers are now asking for compensation after thousands of chickens across the country died most probably due to contaminated feed. Karma Feeds, who supply the feed has been recalling the product. The company would also provide farmers with new batches of feed for free. But farmers said that is not enough to cover the losses.
Twenty-eight-year-old Sonam Penjor from Tsamang said he lost more than a hundred chickens. And more than 2,000 birds are still recovering.
He said, “The birds were sick when I fed karma feeds but as I switched to a different feed that is BMG feed, their health improved.”
Sonam says that the recent incident has cost him a huge loss since there is a drastic drop in egg production. Before, from Nu 20,000 worth of eggs every day, he could collect only two eggs in a week now.
“It’s is easier to recall the feeds but the poultry farmers have incurred huge losses. So who will bear the loss? We have also a loan to pay,” said Sonam Penjor.
San Man Subba, a poultry farmer from Tsirang said “If the concerned agencies could provide some kind of subsidies, it will benefit us.”
“I think the Karma feeds must compensate the affected poultry farms. We trusted the firm and have been buying from them. I opened the farm by getting a loan,” said Zangla from Monggar.
Zangla got a Nu 500,000 loan from the CSI bank last year. And he is worried.
“There is no egg production. I depend on my farm for my livelihood but I can collect only one egg in a day when I have about 400 birds in my farm,” he said.
The district livestock officials visited some of the affected poultry farms but could not ascertain the cause of deaths and illnesses.
Earlier the company said they have not yet decided anything on the compensation. With common infectious diseases ruled out, the Livestock department said they will soon send the samples abroad to test.
More than 54,000 birds died and some 350,000 were affected across the country since last month.
Sonam Tshering, Monggar
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
