Economic blockade hits poultry business in Manipur

IMPHAL - Poultry business in Manipur has been severely affected due to continued economic blockade.

The ongoing blockade along the national highways, which is on for more than 60 days, has affected the supply of poultry feeds, which is normally brought from outside. One bag of poultry feeds weighing around 70 kilogram used to cost Rs 1,060 earlier. But now the same is being sold for Rs 2,000.

The farmers have started to feed the chicken with local feed, which has resulted in weight loss of the chicken and the spread of white diarrhoea.

“We somehow manage to provide them with the local feed products made by us. But the feed is not of controlled quality and so the chickens are getting ill and their growth is retarded,” said Pradeep Singh, a feed wholesaler.

Before the blockade, about 11,000 to 12,000 chicken were brought into the State by road at least two to three times a week.

But now, only 2,000 chicken are being brought in to the state per week by air. (ANI)