Farmers worried as Covid rumours hit poultry prices again

Nagpur: Poultry farmers in the region have held back placing (starting to rear) new chicks after rumours of the birds spreading novel coronavirus went viral again. The wholesale prices of live broiler birds have crashed from Rs120 to Rs90 per kg in just two days.
The poultry industry apprehends further downward spiral of prices, and already indebted farmers are reluctant to go in for fresh procurement of day-old chicks.
Vidarbha Poultry Farmers Association (VPFA) president Raja Dudhabade said the situation had just began to improve but again “some anti-social” elements have created havoc. “During the March scare, farmers had even given away birds for free while some had culled them. As production had gone down, shortage increased the prices over last one month, bringing some much needed revenue for distressed farmers,” he said.
Then last week, a Hindi daily published an unconfirmed report that coronavirus infection among some patients was traced to poultry in Madhya Pradesh. The MP government clarified there was no substance in the claim. However, the news clip was widely shared on social media, dealing a blow to farmers.
Raju Jagtap, a farmer from Arvi, has cut his production to 1,000 birds from 3,000. “Any disease in the world hits poultry first. I have no money left to invest because of the Covid pandemic rumours. Feeding them is a big worry. We incur Rs140 per bird and are now getting Rs80 to 85. Recently, when there was a shortage, the prices had gone up to Rs120,” he said.
Jagtap demanded that the government must protect poultry farmers too.
Dinesh Shelar, deputy marketing manager of Venky’s, which holds substantial market share, said the placement of chicks is estimated to remain in 70-80% range till September. “Before March, Maharashtra poultry production stood at 4.5 crore birds per month. Now, it is 3 crore. Nagpur used to consume 300 tonnes per day before, but right now it is only 150. Rest of Vidarbha’s share is 50 tonnes,” he said.
Dr Mukund Kadam, head of Nagpur Veterinary College’s poultry science department, said there is no connection between coronavirus affecting humans and the poultry. “But what happens, as per our observation, is that people easily fall prey to rumours. Though people have no technical information, they stop eating chicken,” he said.
Dr Kadam said in case anyone has doubts about poultry consumption and coronavirus, they can consult him. “Anyway, we are here to alert society and government in case there is any harm from consuming poultry. Right now, there is no danger,” he said.