August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the government.

Hatcheries are struggling to sell chicks because the farmers are unable to buy them. A broiler chick, which used to sell for Rs 56.45, is now being sold for Rs 20.

Due to the prohibitory order imposed by the local governments in various districts to curb the spread of coronavirus, the poultry farmers are unable to sell their chickens. Therefore, they are not in a position to buy any new chicks. This has led to a decline in demand for the chicks.

Besides the sale of meat, the price of chicken has also fallen down because the government has limited the time period for shops to open.

According to the president of the Association of Nepal Hatchery Industries, Tikaram Pokharel, they are unable to sell the chicks even at lower cost because the poultry farmers are unable to sell the chicken in the market.

This has forced members of the association to cull 3 million chicks every week, informed Pokharel.

During normal period, a total of 324 hatcheries across the country used to produce 4.2 million chicks per week. However, more than 50 hatcheries are currently closed due to the extended lockdown and subsequent prohibitory order.