सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Chitwan. 236 hatchery industries used for raising chicken chicks have closed. The industries have been closed after the chicks stopped being sold at cost price after Covid. According to Tikaram Pokharel, Vice President of Nepal Poultry Federation, before Covid-19, 348 hatchery industries were operating across the country for raising broiler chicken chicks.
Now this number has come down to 120. Similarly, the number of layer hatcheries, which were 14, has come down to six. He informed that while broiler chicks used to be produced at Rs 5.5 million per week, they are now being produced at Rs 3 million.
Layer chicks have come down from Rs 250,000 to Rs 130,000 per week. According to Pokharel, the cost price of broiler chicks ranges from Rs 55 to 60 per head. The price of layers ranges from Rs 120 to 125.
According to Rajendra Lamichhane, Central Senior Vice President of the Nepal Hatchery Industry Association, hatcheries closed after not getting the cost price of chicks for two years after Covid. After a long time, broiler chicks are now being sold at Rs 70 to 75 per head. Layer chicks are being sold at Rs 130 to 150.
He said, ‘Most of the hatcheries closed after not getting a price for chicks for a long time.’ He said that those that were still running were also supported by additional bank loans. The reasons for the displacement of hatchery industries and poultry farmers here include the lack of value for chicks, the increase in the price of feed and medicine, high bank interest rates, the displacement of poultry farmers due to the decrease in meat prices, and the entry of illegal Indian chicks.
According to Rishiram Poudel, former central president of the association, when the hatchery industry is closed, farms also close. This causes a loss of crores of rupees to a single hatchery. He said, ‘At least more than Rs 400 million is invested to run a hatchery industry.’
Says that four to five bighas of land are required at least, and he said that the cost price has also increased as the price of land has increased. In Nepal, the hatchery industry mostly imports parents (mothers) from abroad. According to Poudel, the cost of one such chick comes to Rs 700. There are many farmers across the country who raise a small number of broiler chickens.
Many have been displaced due to the low price of meat as consumption has decreased recently.
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