Krushnaprasad: The animal husbandry department’s three-month ban on poultry farming has pushed the farm owners into distress in this block of Puri district, a report said.
Officials have imposed a ban on poultry sale by sealing all the farms in the area. They have stuck notices outside the farms asking their owners not to breed poultry and sell related products for three months beginning December 25.
This measure was taken following the outbreak of bird flu in the area. Although a fortnight has passed since chickens in the area had tested positive for bird flu, there is no let-up in the disease as it was found spreading fast from village to village.
The situation has become serious with only a few days left for the New Year. People have become clueless as to how to celebrate the New Year in the absence of poultry delicacies.
Earlier, the veterinarians had asked the farm owners to disinfect their farms 10 days after mass culling of the birds. This sparked panic and hit the fast food business in the area. The fast food outlets that sell various mouth-watering poultry dishes are finding it hard to sustain their business.
The impact of the ban on poultry sale was apparent as prices of fish, meat and vegetables have skyrocketed in Malud area. Casual labourers and common people are the worst sufferers.
They are turning away from fish, meat and vegetables because of their high prices and managing with only rice, potato and onions.
PNN