KATHMANDU, July 22: Nepal's poultry industry has suffered an estimated Rs 4 billion in losses after outbreaks of bird flu and H9 influenza disrupted production, killed hundreds of thousands of birds, and forced many farms to suspend operations for months, industry leaders say.
Bird flu outbreaks have been confirmed in 11 districts, including Morang, Jhapa, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kavrepalanchok. While authorities say the disease is largely under control, farmers in affected areas cannot restock poultry for five to six months after disinfection, severely disrupting production cycles.
The Nepal Poultry Federation estimates losses from bird flu at around Rs 2 billion, with another Rs 2 billion attributed to H-9 influenza, which has also spread in several districts.
Federation President Gunchandra Bista said the biggest losses stem not only from dead birds but also from prolonged production shutdowns, empty sheds, loan repayments and reduced market supply.
"Farmers lose far more after production stops than from the birds that die," he said, adding that farms must complete strict biosecurity measures before they are allowed to restart operations.
Detecting bird flu
The government's estimate is significantly lower. The Department of Livestock Services says direct losses from bird flu stand at about Rs 800 million, covering culled poultry, eggs and feed. Director General Dr. Umesh Dahal said the government has already distributed around Rs 500 million in compensation to affected farmers.
He acknowledged that indirect losses could be much higher but said no official assessment has been completed. The department does not compensate losses caused by H9 influenza because farmers are expected to claim insurance.
According to the department, more than 569,000 poultry and other birds have been culled to contain the outbreak. Authorities have also destroyed nearly 989,000 eggs and 195,000 kilograms of poultry feed. Disinfection, laboratory surveillance and stricter biosecurity measures continue in affected areas.
"The outbreak is largely under control, but surveillance is continuing to determine whether the virus remains in the environment," Dahal said.
Compensation is being provided under government guidelines, with eligible farmers receiving up to 75 percent of the assessed value of culled birds and destroyed materials. Payments to farmers whose documentation is complete have already begun, while additional claims are under review.
Farmers say H9 influenza has compounded the crisis by sharply reducing egg production.
Shivram KC, president of the Nepal Egg Producers' Association, said restoring production after an outbreak can take six to eight months because farmers cannot immediately introduce new chicks. During that period, they continue paying bank interest and other operating costs despite having little or no income.
Poultry producers have urged the government to strengthen disease prevention through better vaccination programs and tighter biosecurity measures. They also want wider access to H9 vaccines.
Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects birds. Infected poultry often die suddenly or develop breathing problems, stop eating and drinking, become lethargic and produce fewer eggs.
The Department of Livestock Services has urged farmers to strictly follow biosecurity protocols because the virus spreads easily through infected birds, droppings, feed, water and contaminated equipment. It has also advised the public not to handle sick or dead poultry, to immediately report suspected infections to veterinary authorities, and to thoroughly cook poultry meat and eggs before consumption.
The outbreak comes as Nepal's poultry industry has grown into one of the country's largest agricultural sectors. According to the National Statistics Office, around 117 million broiler chickens are raised annually, generating more than Rs 57.8 billion in sales.
Commercial poultry farming is now practiced in 75 of Nepal's 77 districts, with only Manang and Mustang lacking commercial operations. The country has nearly 22,930 commercial poultry farms, most of which produce meat, while smaller numbers focus on eggs and chicks.
The latest commercial poultry survey estimates annual sales at more than Rs 60.9 billion for poultry meat, Rs 14.8 billion for eggs and over Rs 10.2 billion for chicks, underscoring the scale of an industry now facing one of its most severe disease outbreaks in recent years.
