KASUR, Aug 20: The fear of bird flu (H5N1 virus) had eroded the poultry industry in the district and thrown hundreds of farmers with scant resources out of the business.

The outbreak of the avian influenza started from China, Thailand and Nigeria and spread all over Asia, including Pakistan. Although no deaths are reported due to bird flu in Pakistan, the fear had an unthinkable effect on the poultry industry in the country.

Small-scale farmers in the district did not put more chickens in their sheds as they have already lost their savings. Moreover, they are reluctant to take risk fearing return of the virus again next winter. This would consequently reduce the production of poultry in the district which is not only catering to local requirements but also supplying chicken in ample quantity to neighbouring districts, including Lahore. This situation had badly disturbed the balance between demand and supply as a result of which the prices of poultry rose sharply. Even this resurgence of the industry failed to lure the farmers back and the farms in the districts are presenting a deserted look.

As far as poultry is concerned, the district can be divided into three belts — Kot Radha Kishan, Khudian and Ferozepur Road. Of the three belts, Kot Radha Kishan was the most affected by the bird flu virus where thousands of birds were culled and more than 150 farms were closed. Scores of poultry units at Qadiwind, Dollaywalla, Khara village, Husain Khanwala, Fatahpur, Rosa, Sheikhum, Mata and Nan Ka Takia have been closed owing to the negligence of the government and reluctance of the distributors who provided poultry feed on credit to the poor farmers.

Many farmers have started new businesses, some selling fruit and vegetable, others cultivating their land.

“This would definitely save my family from starvation,” said Muhammad Din who had lost his life saving in poultry business. Farmers Chaudhry Shahid, Shaheen Khan, Irfat Khan, Wajid Ali, Allah Ditta, Khalid Husain, Zulfiqar Ali, Waheed Bhatti and Mehar Ashique lamented that the government had given a cold shoulder to the poor and small farmers. They said the government gave loans to big landowners and industrialists and then wrote them off. But it did not give small farmers interest-free loans.

They claimed that in this scenario, the poultry industry would never flourish again.

When contacted, DO (livestock) Dr Shahid Bukhari said the virus had been there since centuries but it was the media, both at the national and international level, which had fanned the fire besides the vested interests of some vaccine manufacturing companies. All this had damaged the industry beyond repair.

Regretting the poor financial policies of the government, the DO said it had miserably failed to reach a small farmer. However, efforts were being made to help the farmers by providing technical support and vaccines at their doorstep, he added.

He said financial aid to this industry from the government and other global organisations could revive the industry.