Mumbai: Maharastra has been hit hard by the Covid pandemic and recently, bird flu has worsened the crisis. Bird flu was first reported in Mumbai, Thane, Ratnagiri, Parbhani and Latur in the state. The avian flu turned detrimental to poultry traders, chicken and egg sellers. Chicken and egg sales have reported a sharp decline and as a result, rates have automatically decreased. Here is an account of the demand and consumption of chicken and eggs in various districts in the state.
Parbhani: Prices of chicken and eggs drop
For the first time in Parbhani, 400 hens were found dead. Later, bird flu was confirmed as the cause of death. In that backdrop, chicken, which was generally being sold at Rs 180 per kg, is currently being sold at Rs 120 to 140 per kg. Similarly, the price of eggs has also come down. The price of a single egg tray which was sold for Rs 180 has dropped by Rs 50 and is now being sold at Rs 130.
Nashik: Demand declined by 20%
The demand for chickens has dropped by 20 per cent due to the bird flu crisis. The price of chicken has gone down from Rs 90 to Rs 50. However, for the last two days, the price has gone up by Rs 10 per kg amounting to Rs 65 per kg, said Uddhav Ahire, President of Anand Agro. Nashik district leads in poultry production after Padalam district in Tamil Nadu.
About four crore hens are produced in the state every month. More than half of the production is undertaken in Nashik district. The average daily turnover of the poultry industry in the state is 14 to 15 crores and the average turnover of Nashik district alone is 7 to 8 crores. Poultry sellers say that the amount of meat sold is increasing every year mainly. As per the trend, consumption mainly increases after Sankranti.
Kolhapur: Chicken prices drop
Chicken sellers in Kolhapur district have been hit hard. The price of chicken, which was around Rs 160 four days ago, has now come down to Rs 90. Kolhapur has not yet seen an outbreak of bird flu. But the effect of bird flu in the state is already being seen. Kolhapur has a large number of chicken vendors. Along with mutton, the number of chicken eaters is also huge in Kolhapur. Just four days ago, the price of this chicken was around 160 to 180 rupees per kg. In some places, the price of chicken had reached Rs 200. However, as bird flu has spread in Maharashtra, chicken sellers have been hit hard. In Kolhapur, due to rumours, chicken has to be sold at Rs 80-90 per kg.
Amravati: Fear among citizens
An egg tray, which was sold for Rs 160 to Rs 170 eight days ago, is now being sold for Rs 130. Moreover, the demand for eggs has also declined. The chicken business has also been hit hard. Chicken sold at Rs 200 per kg is now available in the market at Rs 150 to Rs 170 per kg. Although there is no bird flu in the district yet, fear over bird flu is hitting the poultry business.
Bird flu crisis in the state
After reviewing the bird flu, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray immediately instructed all the District Collectors of the state to monitor and prevent bird flu infection. Strict implementation of rules is ordered. Funds will be made available for setting up of state-of-the-art Biosecurity Level 3 Laboratory for animal husbandry in the State for early diagnosis of bird flu. In areas where there is no bird flu infection, there is no risk if eggs and meat are cooked and eaten at a temperature above 70 degrees. Therefore, misconceptions and rumours should not be spread, he appealed.
Equipped with government machinery
Animal Husbandry Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh said that H5N1 bird flu has been reported in 843 hens in Parbhani, 15 crows and other birds in Thane and 9 crows in Ratnagiri. H5N8 has been reported in 11 crows in Beed. Reports of the remaining places are yet to be received from Bhopal. The Department of Animal Husbandry has sent bird flu guidelines to field officers.
As per the action plan of the Central Government, the Regional Officers have been directed to strictly implement these instructions through the VC. Control rooms have been set up in the state since January 7. Samples of the birds should be sent to the laboratory at Bhopal, as per the instructions given to the Commissioner of Animal Husbandry.
Also read: Scientist holds migratory birds accountable for avian flu
